Operation Avalanche (Afghanistan)

Operation Avalanche
	Part of the War in Afghanistan (2001–present)
Date	December 2003
Location	Southeast Afghanistan
Result	Indecisive
Belligerents
Afghanistan; United States	Taliban insurgents
Commanders and leaders
Bismillah Khan Mohammadi; Tommy Franks	Mohammed Omar
Casualties and losses
2 killed	10 killed; 100 captured
	15 Afghan children killed

Operation Avalanche was a four-week U.S.-led offensive in December 2003 designed to disrupt a resurgence in militant activity in the southeastern territory of Afghanistan and to establish conditions for the provision of humanitarian aid. Described by the U.S. government as the biggest ground operation in Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban in late 2001, the offensive led to the capture of more than 100 suspects and the deaths of 10. Two soldiers from the Afghan National Army were killed. The operation was marred by the accidental killings of 15 children in raids on suspected militants.

For other events called Operation Avalanche, see Operation Avalanche (disambiguation).

The operation involved 2,000 U.S. soldiers supported by Afghan troops, but failed to engage any Taliban or allied militants.

Patrols were conducted and caves searched over a 40 square mile (100 km²) area. Little of note was discovered in the caves.

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