Battle of Sabzak facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Sabzak
Part of War in Afghanistan
Date 3–4 September 2009 Location Sabzak Pass, Badghis Province Result Coalition victory
Belligerents
ISAF  Spain  Italy	Taliban  Tajik tribals
Commanders and leaders
Sergeant Serantes	Jamuladdin Mansoor  Ishan Khan
Casualties and losses
1 wounded 2 vehicles damaged	13 killed 3 wounded

The Battle of Sabzak was a short but important fight during the War in Afghanistan. It happened on September 3 and 4, 2009. The battle took place at Sabzak Pass in the Badghis Province. Spanish and Italian soldiers, who were part of NATO's ISAF mission, fought against Taliban forces and their local allies.

What Was the Battle of Sabzak?

This battle was a clash between international forces and the Taliban. It happened in a mountain pass. The pass was a key route for supplies. It showed how difficult it was to control important roads in Afghanistan.

Why Was Sabzak Pass Important?

Sabzak Pass was a very important road. It was the only way to supply two cities, Qal'eh-ye and Herat. Military convoys, which are groups of vehicles traveling together, were often attacked there. These attacks happened a lot during the summer of 2009. NATO decided that Spanish soldiers should control this road. They wanted to make sure supplies could pass safely.

The Taliban, led by Jamuladdin Mansoor, wanted to stop this. He worked with local groups, including Ishan Khan. They tried to block the road and prevent anyone from using it.

How Did the Battle Begin?

Spanish forces took control of the road on July 31, 2009. But the Taliban and their allies quickly regrouped. They started their first attack on September 3. During this first fight, one Spanish soldier was injured.

The Main Fight: September 4th

The next day, a large group of Spanish soldiers was on the pass. There were about 100 soldiers and 30 vehicles. They were helping another group meet with Afghan police for protection. Suddenly, they were attacked from four different places. It was a planned ambush by the Taliban.

The soldiers fought back right away. They called for help from the air. Two Italian helicopters arrived to support them. However, the helicopters could not drop bombs. This was because there were civilians living very close by. The fighting lasted for six hours. After a long battle, the Taliban and their allies finally retreated. They went back to a nearby village called Marghozar.

What Was the Outcome?

The battle ended with a victory for the international forces. One Spanish soldier was hurt during the fighting. Also, two military vehicles were damaged and could not be used. On the other side, 13 Taliban fighters were killed. Three more were injured. This battle helped secure the important Sabzak Pass for a time.

See also

In Spanish: Combate de Sabzak para niños