Operation Karez

Operation Karez
Part of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)

Afghanistan map
DateMay 13–23, 2008
Location
Badghis province, Afghanistan
Result See aftermath
Belligerents
ISAF:
• Norway
• Germany
• United States
• Croatia
 Islamic Republic of Afghanistan		 Afghanistan Taliban
Commanders and leaders
Norway Lt. Col. Kjell Inge Bækken
Germany Brig. Gen. Dieter Dammjacob		 Afghanistan Unknown
Strength
Norway 250 soldiers from Telemark Battalion
Germany 60 soldiers (mainly recce, signal and logistic personnel)
United States est. 35 soldiers (ETT and PSD)
Croatia 30 soldiers		 150 insurgents
~500 support fighters[1]
Casualties and losses
None 13-15 killed[2][3]

Operation Karez was a military operation between May 13–23, 2008 involving Norwegian and German ISAF and Afghan government forces against the Taliban as part of the war in Afghanistan. Their objective was to eliminate the presence of Taliban insurgents who had regrouped in the area in the aftermath of Operation Harekate Yolo in late 2007.

It was the second time in half a year that Norwegian and German ISAF forces had participated in a major offensive in the restless Badghis province in western Afghanistan. It was also the first time that the professional soldiers of the Telemark Battalion had participated in actual combat.

The name of the operation derives from the Afghan word for kareez, which is a water management system used to provide a reliable supply of water to human settlements and irrigation in hot, arid and semi-arid climates.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference spiegel was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference VG was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Dagsrevyen was invoked but never defined (see the help page).