Operation Hammer (Afghanistan)

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Operation Hammer

Part of the War in Afghanistan (2001–present)

Date	July 24, 2007 - November 1, 2007
Location	Helmand province, Afghanistan
Result	Coalition strategic victory (Coalition forces take controll of territory south of the Helmand river).

Belligerents

United Kingdom,

Estonia,

Denmark,

United States,

Afghan National Army

Taliban insurgents

Strength

1,500 (United Kingdom),
500 (ANA)^[1]

Unknown

Casualties and losses

14 killed, 17 wounded (UK);
3 killed, 3 wounded (DK);
3 killed, 8 wounded (US);
9 killed (Afghan police)

100+ killed

v • d • e War in Afghanistan (2001–present)

Qala-i-Jangi – Tora Bora – Anaconda – Red Wing – Lashkagar – Mountain Thrust – Helmand – Panjwaii – Medusa – Mountain Fury – Falcon Summit – Sangin – Achilles – Hoover – Chora – Firebase Anaconda – Harekate Yolo – Musa Qala – Karez – Kandahar prison

Operation Hammer is a British-led NATO operation in the southern Helmand province of Afghanistan. The Task Force level offensive, codenamed 'Chakush' or 'Hammer', began in the early hours of July 24, 2007 in the area between Heyderabad and Mirmandab, north-east of Gereshk. The operation continued the momentum towards expelling Taliban forces from areas of the Upper Gereshk Valley in Helmand province.

A total of 2,000 ISAF and ANSF personnel are taking part in the operation, 1,500 of those being drawn from British forces, namely The Light Dragoons, The First Battalion Grenadier Guards - who are providing operational mentoring to Afghan National Army troops (from 2nd Kandak 3rd Brigade 205 Corps Afghan National Army), the (12 Mechanized) Brigade Reconnaissance Force, 26 Regiment Royal Engineers, 19th Regiment Royal Artillery, the Joint Force EOD group as well as troops from Estonia, Denmark and the US. ISAF helicopters and aircraft are providing support to ground troops.

During the initial stages of the operation, ISAF and Afghan National Security Forces advanced to secure a strategic bridge crossing over the Nahr-e-Seraj canal, clearing and searching compounds, before military engineers from 26 Engineer Regiment established a joint forward operating base.

By early November operations ended with Coalition troops establishing a firm frontline south of the Helmand river and were preparing for an attack towards Musa Qalah, which had been under Taliban controlle for eight months.