Coalition combat operations in Afgh-
anistan in 2008
There are two "coalitions" operating in Afgh-
anistan, neither of which have a formal basis.
The "US-led coalition",
identified by the
press, refers to Operation Enduring Free-
dom, mostly special forces, air and naval
forces, within a stictly US chain of command,
exercising over a wide international geo-
graphic area, the US right to "self defence"
accorded by the UN charter. The "NATO-led
coalition", identified by the press, refers to
the forces of
the International Security
Assistance Force (ISAF) led by NATO, with a
specific UN mandate within Afghanistan, in-
cluding most of the US forces in afghanistan,
NATO contingents and some non-NATO
forces.(note that in many articles within Wiki-
pedia and elsewhere,
this distinction
is
confused).
United States and NATO International Se-
curity Assistance Force (ISAF) operations,
alongside Afghan National Army forces, con-
tinued against the Taliban through 2008.
On April 27, President Karzai escaped an-
other attempt on his life: gunmen opened fire
during a military parade celebrating the na-
tion’s victory and liberation from the eight
year occupation of the Soviet Union. The fire-
fight lasted about a quarter of an hour, with
3 dead and over 10 wounded. [1]
As of September 11, 2008 has been the
deadliest year for US forces since the start of
the war with 113 deaths.[2] Early September
also marked the first time the war spilled
over on to Pakistani territory.[3] The year was
also the deadliest for several European coun-
tries in Afghanistan.
Events in May
By the end of December 2007, the situation
on the ground in Helmand province reached
a stalemate. A de facto border was estab-
lished east of Garmsir along the banks of the
Helmand River that divided British-held from
Taliban-held territory. The British were out-
numbered by the larger Taliban force which
was receiving reinforcements from Pakistan.
However the British had jets and heavy
U.S. Marines in Garmsir.
artillery on their side. Both forces were fight-
ing i