What was the primary objective of Operation Moshtarak?

The primary objective of Operation Moshtarak was to remove the Taliban from the town of Marjah and its surrounding district, thereby eliminating the last Taliban stronghold in central Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

What does the name "Moshtarak" signify, and what was its scale compared to other operations at the time?

Moshtarak is a Dari word meaning "Together" or "Joint." The operation was significant for its scale, involving approximately 15,000 Afghan, American, British, Canadian, Danish, and Estonian troops, making it the largest joint operation by the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan up to that point.

When did Operation Moshtarak take place, and where was it primarily conducted?

Operation Moshtarak occurred from February 13, 2010, to December 7, 2010, and was focused on the town of Marjah in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

Who were the main belligerents in Operation Moshtarak?

The main belligerents were the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), comprising troops from the United States, United Kingdom, France, Estonia, Denmark, and Canada, fighting against the Taliban and Al-Qaeda.

What dual nature of control in Marjah did ISAF aim to disrupt?

Marjah was controlled not only by the Taliban but also by drug traffickers, and Operation Moshtarak aimed to disrupt both elements.

How did ISAF attempt to influence Taliban fighters before the main assault on Marjah?

ISAF heavily publicized the operation beforehand, comparing its scope to the Second Battle of Fallujah, in the hope that this publicity would cause Taliban fighters in the town to flee.

What role were the Afghan security forces intended to play in Operation Moshtarak?

The operation was designed to showcase improvements in the Afghan government and security forces, being described as "Afghan-led" and involving five Afghan brigades.

What was the post-operation plan for governing Marjah?

Following the offensive, ISAF planned to install a "government in a box," which included a large team of Afghan administrators and an Afghan governor, along with over 1,900 police officers.

What was the initial assessment of the operation's success, and how did this perception change over time?

While initially described as successful, the failure to establish a functioning government led to a Taliban resurgence. Ninety days into the offensive, ISAF commander General Stanley McChrystal famously referred to the situation as a "bleeding ulcer."

What was the ultimate outcome of Operation Moshtarak regarding Taliban control?

Shortly after NATO soldiers withdrew from Marjah, reports indicated that the Taliban had regained control of the town and district, with US Army analysts describing the operation's goals as a failure.

How is Operation Moshtarak considered to have influenced the broader strategy in Afghanistan?

The failure of Operation Moshtarak is cited as a critical turning point, leading the Obama administration to shift its strategy away from seeking a decisive victory through increased troop numbers towards de-escalation of the war.

What strategic significance did Operation Moshtarak hold for the coalition forces?

It was considered a key test of the coalition's strategy against the Taliban insurgency, with some commanders believing it would mark the beginning of the end of the insurgency.

What specific tactic was employed to mitigate civilian casualties and influence the information battlefield before the assault?

Hours before the offensive began, Afghan and coalition forces dropped leaflets with the message, "Do not allow the Taliban to enter your home," as part of a strategy to shape the information battlefield.

What was the "new war model" concept associated with Operation Moshtarak?

The "new war model" involved assembling a large team of Afghan administrators and police to move into the captured area immediately, ensuring the maintenance of power and water supplies, and serving as a prototype for future military operations.

What preparatory actions were taken in the months leading up to Operation Moshtarak?

In the months prior, Canadian soldiers trained Afghan National Army recruits, and coalition forces conducted smaller "shaping operations," including raids by SAS and U.S. Army Special Forces teams, and captured bomb factories.

What was the "courageous restraint" doctrine, and who developed it?

Conceived by U.S. General Stanley McChrystal and British Major General Nick Carter, "courageous restraint" required soldiers to use "brain-power rather than fire-power," aiming to reduce civilian casualties and damage by using fewer munitions and support measures.

How were coalition troops primarily inserted into Marjah on D-Day?

A majority of the U.S. forces were inserted by CH-53 and MV-22 helicopters, while Canadian forces conducted a large air assault using CH-47 Chinooks and CH-146 Griffons. Ground assaults also occurred.

What significant obstacle did the assaulting troops face upon entering Marjah?

The primary obstacle was an extensive network of mines and booby traps, described as potentially one of the biggest and most dangerous minefields NATO forces had ever encountered.

What specialized equipment was used by Marines to breach canals and clear minefields during the operation?

Marines used portable aluminum bridges to span irrigation channels and Assault Breacher Vehicles, heavy armored vehicles equipped with plows and explosives, to clear minefields. M58 MICLIC rockets were also used to clear mines and detonate roadside bombs.

What incident involving civilian casualties occurred on February 14, 2010 (D+1)?

Twelve civilians, including ten from the same family, were killed when two rockets fired by a NATO High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) struck civilian houses in Marjah.

How did ISAF commanders respond to the civilian casualty incident on February 14?

NATO commanders immediately stopped all use of the HIMARS rocket system, and General McChrystal telephoned Afghan President Hamid Karzai to apologize, calling it an "unfortunate incident."

What was the situation in Marjah regarding Taliban presence and fighting by February 15, 2010 (D+2)?

While some areas were secured, fighting continued in two parts of the city. Allied commanders estimated that about half of the Taliban fighters initially present had either been killed or had retreated, with fighting concentrated in the northern and central areas.

What significant event occurred on February 18, 2010 (D+5) related to the recapture of the Marjah bazaar?

Afghan soldiers raised the Afghan national flag over the Marjah bazaar, witnessed by Afghan and coalition commanders, signifying a symbolic recapture, though fighting persisted.

What challenges did coalition forces face in Marjah regarding the local population and the opium economy?

Coalition forces faced the dilemma of needing to win the "hearts and minds" of the local population while also needing to eradicate poppies, the primary source of livelihood for many farmers, which also allegedly financed the Taliban. Marines were initially ordered to ignore the poppy crops.

What was the estimated number of Taliban fighters killed in the first five days of Operation Moshtarak?

An anonymous U.S. intelligence source estimated that at least 120 Taliban fighters were killed during the first five days of fighting.

What was the reported number of coalition soldiers killed by early December 2010?

By early December, 61 U.S., UK, and Afghan soldiers were reported killed as part of the operation, though the exact number of Afghan fatalities was not consistently reported.

Which specific U.S. Marine unit was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for actions including Operation Moshtarak?

The 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for its operations in Helmand Province, including Operation Moshtarak and Operation Kanjar.

Which U.S. service member received the Medal of Honor for actions during the conflict in Afghanistan, specifically mentioning Marjah?

Lance Corporal Kyle Carpenter of the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment received the Medal of Honor for his actions on November 21, 2010, while deployed to Marjah.

What was the name of the documentary aired on HBO that followed the initial assault of Operation Moshtarak?

The documentary was titled The Battle for Marjah, produced by Ben Anderson.

What is the significance of the Reuters photograph featuring Marines protecting an Afghan man and child in relation to social media?

The photograph, taken during Operation Moshtarak, went viral on social media and was often used as a meme to contrast the actions of coalition troops with the Taliban.

What was the stated purpose of heavily publicizing Operation Moshtarak before its launch?

The intention behind the heavy publicity was to influence the information battlefield and potentially encourage Taliban fighters to flee the town before the main assault.

What specific doctrine guided British forces during the lead-up to Operation Moshtarak, and what was its aim?

The doctrine was called "courageous restraint," aimed at reducing civilian casualties and damage by emphasizing thoughtful tactics over overwhelming firepower.

What was the estimated number of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) found or hit by the 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment during their first 30 days in Marjah?

The troops found or hit more than 120 homemade bombs during their initial 30 days in Marjah.

What was the name of the U.S. Army Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA) that played a significant role in the initial assault on Marjah?

Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA) 1231 and ODA 3121 of the 1st Special Forces Group were involved in seizing objectives prior to the main push.

What was the name of the combat outpost established by the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines east of Marjah?

The outpost was named COP Reilly.

What specific type of vehicle was deployed by Marine engineers to clear minefields during Operation Moshtarak?

Assault Breacher Vehicles were used by Marine engineers to clear minefields.

What was the name of the British commander of NATO forces in southern Afghanistan during Operation Moshtarak?

Major General Nick Carter was the commander of NATO Regional Command South.

What was the estimated number of Taliban fighters killed or who retreated from Marjah by February 15, 2010?

It was estimated that about half of the 400 Taliban fighters initially in Marjah had been killed or had retreated, with fighting concentrated in the northern and central areas.

What specific type of rocket system caused civilian casualties during the operation, and what was the immediate consequence?

A NATO High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) caused civilian casualties, leading to the immediate suspension of its use by NATO commanders.

What book by Bing West dedicates several chapters to the assault on Marjah?

The book is titled The Wrong War: Grit, Strategy, and the Way Out of Afghanistan.

What was the name of the Canadian Corporal awarded the Medal of Military Valour for actions during Operation Moshtarak?

Corporal Bradley Casey was awarded the Medal of Military Valour for providing critical medical care under fire.

What was the stated reason for the revocation of U.S. Army Captain Mathew L. Golsteyn's Silver Star award?

The award was revoked in 2015 following an investigation into an undisclosed rules-of-engagement violation in 2010 related to a prisoner.

What fictionalized film portrays events surrounding the Battle of Marjah?

The 2017 film War Machine, starring Brad Pitt, portrays a fictionalized version of the events.

What was the total strength of the ISAF forces involved in Operation Moshtarak?

The operation involved a combined force of approximately 15,000 troops from ISAF and Afghan forces.

What was the estimated number of civilian casualties reported by the Afghan Red Crescent Society following the conflict in Marjah?

The Afghan Red Crescent Society reported 35 civilians dead and 37 injured.

What was the name of the U.S. Marine unit that replaced the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade in Helmand Province during the summer of 2010?

The I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) replaced the 2nd MEB.

What specific type of aircraft were used by the Canadian Forces for the large air assault into Nad Ali District?

The Canadian Forces used seven helicopters, including three CH-47 Chinooks escorted by four CH-146 Griffons.

What was the name of the U.S. Army Special Forces team mentioned as being among the first boots on the ground in Marjah?

Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA) 1231, along with Afghan Commandos from the 3rd Commando Kandak, were among the first on the ground.

What was the name of the British unit that secured a key junction north of Marjah in the weeks leading up to the operation?

A squadron of the Household Cavalry Regiment (HCR) secured the junction.

What was the reported number of coalition troops ferried by the Joint Task Force Afghanistan (JTF-Afg) in the largest air assault conducted with Canadian helicopters?

Approximately 1,100 coalition troops were ferried to Nad Ali District.

Operation Moshtarak Wiki: Operation Moshtarak: A Strategic Examination of the Marjah Offensive

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Operation Moshtarak: An Overview

Core Objective

Operation Moshtarak, meaning "Together" or "Joint" in Dari, was a significant International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) pacification offensive. Its primary objective was the capture and control of the town of Marjah in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. This operation aimed to remove the Taliban from their stronghold and disrupt drug trafficking operations, marking a critical phase in the broader War in Afghanistan.

Geographic Focus

The operation centered on Marjah, a key town in Helmand Province, which had been under Taliban control for an extended period. The region was strategically important due to its role as a hub for opium production and trafficking, which funded the insurgency.

Force Composition

Moshtarak represented the largest joint operation of the War in Afghanistan at that time. It involved a substantial coalition force of approximately 15,000 troops, comprising elements from the Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police, and international forces from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Denmark, and Estonia.

Strategic Context and Goals

Testing the Counterinsurgency Model

Operation Moshtarak was designed as a crucial test of the ISAF's evolving counterinsurgency strategy. It aimed to demonstrate the effectiveness of a combined military and civilian approach, emphasizing the establishment of a functional Afghan government and security forces in captured territory. The operation was intended to serve as a prototype for future pacification efforts.

Information Warfare

ISAF strategically publicized the operation extensively before its launch. This was intended to psychologically pressure Taliban fighters, potentially causing them to flee and reducing the need for intense combat. The comparison to the Second Battle of Fallujah highlighted the scale and ambition of the planned offensive.

Governance and Reconstruction

A key component of the strategy was the pre-planned deployment of a civilian administration, including Afghan government officials and support personnel. The concept of a "government in a box" was intended to quickly establish legitimate governance and begin reconstruction efforts in Marjah following its capture, thereby winning the support of the local population.

Operational Timeline

Preparatory Phase

Preparations for Operation Moshtarak began months in advance, with Afghan and coalition forces conducting smaller-scale "shaping operations." These included intelligence gathering raids and efforts to secure key routes and positions. Afghan National Army recruits were trained, and new rules of engagement emphasizing "courageous restraint" were implemented to minimize civilian casualties and encourage defections.

September 2009: Canadian forces began training Afghan National Army recruits.
January 2010: Coalition forces initiated shaping operations, including raids and route clearance.
Late January/Early February 2010: Forces began encircling Marjah to gather intelligence and deceive the enemy about the main assault axis. Key positions like "Five Points" junction were secured.
February 9-11, 2010: Final preparations, troop staging, and a 24-hour delay for potential negotiations occurred.

The Assault (February 13, 2010)

The main offensive commenced on February 13, 2010, with a massive air assault involving hundreds of helicopters. US and Afghan special forces conducted initial insertions, followed by waves of Marines and Afghan troops. The advance was slowed by extensive minefields and booby traps laid by the Taliban.

Pre-Dawn: Special operations forces secured initial objectives.
Dawn: Multiple waves of helicopter insertions began, with US, British, and Afghan forces advancing into Marjah and surrounding districts.
Challenges: Troops faced heavy resistance, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and booby-trapped structures.
Initial Control: By nightfall, ISAF sources claimed control of the town's center, though sporadic fighting continued.

Consolidation and Ongoing Conflict

Following the initial assault, coalition forces focused on clearing remaining pockets of resistance and establishing control. However, the promised rapid reconstruction and governance faced significant challenges, and the Taliban continued to mount attacks, leading to prolonged fighting and a difficult post-operation environment.

February 14-18, 2010: House-to-house searches, flag-raising ceremonies, and continued sporadic fighting occurred. Civilian casualties resulted from a HIMARS rocket strike.
February 25, 2010: A significant flag-raising ceremony marked the symbolic capture of the Marjah bazaar.
March 2010 onwards: Efforts to establish governance and reconstruction faced challenges due to ongoing insurgent activity and security concerns.
December 7, 2010: Operation Moshtarak was officially declared over, though fighting persisted in the region.
Post-Operation: The failure to establish lasting security and governance led to a Taliban resurgence and was cited as a turning point influencing US strategy towards de-escalation.

Casualties and Losses

Coalition Forces

Coalition forces sustained casualties throughout Operation Moshtarak. Specific figures indicate:

United States: 45 killed.
United Kingdom: 13 killed.
Afghan National Army: 15+ killed (figures often incomplete).
Other coalition nations also reported fatalities.

Detailed numbers for wounded personnel were not consistently released.

Insurgent Losses

Taliban insurgent casualties were estimated to be significantly higher. Initial reports suggested at least 120 Taliban fighters were killed in the first five days of the operation. By early December, approximately a quarter of the estimated 400 initial insurgents were reported killed, with another quarter having retreated or fled.

Additionally, 56 insurgents were captured during the operation.

Civilian Impact

The operation had a significant impact on the civilian population. Reports indicated that hundreds of families were displaced from their homes. Civilian casualties were also reported, with one assessment noting 35 civilians killed and 37 injured during the conflict, though the attribution of these casualties to specific sides was often unclear.

The Poppy Dilemma

Economic Foundation

Marjah was a major center for opium poppy cultivation, which served as the primary economic livelihood for a significant portion of the local population. This crop also reportedly funded the Taliban insurgency, creating a complex dilemma for ISAF forces.

Conflicting Objectives

ISAF commanders faced a difficult choice: eradicating the poppy fields to undermine the Taliban's funding versus preserving the local economy and winning the "hearts and minds" of the population. Initially, US Marines were instructed to temporarily overlook the poppy crops to avoid alienating farmers and disrupting their livelihoods.

Seized Narcotics

Despite the initial reluctance to destroy crops, operations did result in the seizure of significant quantities of narcotics and related chemicals. For example, during operations in Showal, large amounts of opium, poppy seeds, hashish, and heroin were confiscated, highlighting the scale of the illicit drug trade in the region.

Order of Battle

Coalition Forces

Operation Moshtarak involved a multi-national force with a complex structure. Key components included:

ISAF Regional Command South: Primarily US Marine Corps units (2nd MEB, Task Force Leatherneck), supported by elements from the US Army, UK forces (11th Infantry Brigade), Canada, Denmark, and Estonia.
US Army Aviation: 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade (Task Force Pegasus) provided crucial air support.
Afghan Forces: Multiple brigades of the Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police, Afghan Commandos, and Civil Order Police participated, intended to lead post-operation governance.

Key Formations

Notable units involved in the initial assault included:

USMC: 1st, 3rd Battalions of the 6th Marine Regiment; 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines; elements of 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion and 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion.
US Army: 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry (Stryker); Operational Detachment Alpha-3121 (3rd Special Forces Group).
UK: 1st Battalions of the Coldstream Guards, Grenadier Guards, and Royal Welsh Regiment.
Canadian Forces: Provided significant helicopter support.

Follow-on Units

Following the initial clearing phase, command and control transitioned to I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), with units like RCT-1 taking over responsibilities in the Helmand Province, including the Marjah area.

Awards and Honors

Unit Recognition

The 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade received the Presidential Unit Citation for their operations in Helmand Province during 2009-2010, which included Operation Moshtarak. This award recognized their significant contributions and the challenging nature of the operations undertaken.

Individual Decorations

Several service members were recognized for their actions during or related to Operation Moshtarak:

Medal of Honor: Lance Corporal Kyle Carpenter (USMC) for actions in November 2010.
Navy Cross: Lance Corporal Joshua Moore (USMC).
Army Distinguished Service Cross: Staff Sergeant Cory Calkins (US Army).
Silver Star: Awarded to multiple Marines, including Sgt Miguelange G. Madrigal and Capt Timothy Sparks for actions in February 2010.
Military Cross: Able Seaman Kate Nesbitt (UK).
Medal of Military Valour: Corporal Bradley Casey (Canadian Forces).

In Popular Culture

Films and Documentaries

The events surrounding Operation Moshtarak and the Battle of Marjah have been depicted in various media:

Film: War Machine (2017), starring Brad Pitt, offered a fictionalized portrayal of the Marjah offensive.
Documentary: The Battle for Marjah, aired on HBO, provided a direct account of the initial assault through the experiences of 1st Battalion, 6th Marines.

Literary Depictions

The operation has been chronicled in significant literary works:

The Wrong War: Grit, Strategy, and the Way Out of Afghanistan by Bing West, which dedicated chapters to the assault, drawing on embedded experiences.
Little America: The War within the War for Afghanistan by Rajiv Chandrasekaran, which covered the surge and Operation Moshtarak from the perspective of embedded journalists.

Social Media and Visuals

Iconic images from the operation, such as Marines protecting Afghan civilians, gained significant traction on social media, often used to contrast coalition actions with those of the Taliban.

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References

"Nato hails major Afghan operation". BBC (February 13, 2010). Retrieved February 14, 2010.

"Afghanistan offensive on Taliban in Helmand". BBC (February 13, 2010). Retrieved February 13, 2010.

"Operation Moshtarak: Assault in Helmand province". BBC (February 13, 2010). Retrieved February 13, 2010.

(02.08.10) "Afghanistan: Fleeing on foot at night". IRIN

"Marines Wait in the Cold for Afghan Offensive"

Gal Perl Finkel, Back to the ground?, Israel Hayom, November 8, 2015.

"Nato launches major Afghan assault"

IRIN Press release "Afghanistan: Marjah residents take stock after offensive"

Gretchen Peters "Seeds of Terror: How Heroin is Bankrolling the Taliban and Al Qaeda", publ. Thomas Dunne Books (2009)

A full list of references for this article are available at the Operation Moshtarak Wikipedia page

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Important Notice

This content has been generated by an AI model and is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is based on publicly available data from Wikipedia and has been refined to meet specific persona and formatting requirements. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy and adherence to the source material, the information may not be exhaustive or entirely up-to-date.

This is not military advice. The information provided is for analytical and educational purposes and should not be interpreted as professional military strategy consultation or endorsement. Always consult official military doctrine, historical analyses, and expert opinions for comprehensive understanding.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.

Operation Moshtarak

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

Operation Moshtarak: An Overview ℹ️

🎯 Core Objective

🌍 Geographic Focus

👥 Force Composition

Strategic Context and Goals 🗺️

📈 Testing the Counterinsurgency Model

📢 Information Warfare

🏛️ Governance and Reconstruction

Operational Timeline ⏳

🗓️ Preparatory Phase

⚔️ The Assault (February 13, 2010)

🚩 Consolidation and Ongoing Conflict

Casualties and Losses 🩸

⚰️ Coalition Forces

💥 Insurgent Losses

civilian Civilian Impact

The Poppy Dilemma 💰

🌱 Economic Foundation

⚖️ Conflicting Objectives

📈 Seized Narcotics

Order of Battle 📜

💂 Coalition Forces

⚔️ Key Formations

🗂️ Follow-on Units

Awards and Honors 🏅

🎖️ Unit Recognition

⭐ Individual Decorations

In Popular Culture 🎬

🎥 Films and Documentaries

📖 Literary Depictions

🌐 Social Media and Visuals

Teacher's Corner 🧑‍🏫

Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio

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References

📜 References

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📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Operation Moshtarak: An Overview

Core Objective

Geographic Focus

Force Composition

Strategic Context and Goals

Testing the Counterinsurgency Model

Information Warfare

Governance and Reconstruction

Operational Timeline

Preparatory Phase

The Assault (February 13, 2010)

Consolidation and Ongoing Conflict

Casualties and Losses

Coalition Forces

Insurgent Losses

Civilian Impact

The Poppy Dilemma

Economic Foundation

Conflicting Objectives

Seized Narcotics

Order of Battle

Coalition Forces

Key Formations

Follow-on Units

Awards and Honors

Unit Recognition

Individual Decorations

In Popular Culture

Films and Documentaries

Literary Depictions

Social Media and Visuals

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice