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Battle of Chora
The Battle of Chora was a military engagement in Chora District, Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan, occurring from 15 to 19 June 2007. The battle was between ISAF – primarily composed of Dutch troops – and allied Afghan forces against anti-coalition militias (ACM), believed to be affiliated with the Taliban. The battle centered on control of the Chora District's administrative center, a strategic location for the Taliban due to its role as a key ground route linking the contested Gizab District in the north to the provincial capital, Tarinkot. According to some press reports, the fighting was the largest Taliban offensive of 2007 in Afghanistan, and resulted in the death of one Dutch soldier, as well as approximately 50 to 80 civilians and 70 Taliban fighters.
In August 2006, the ISAF Task Force Uruzgan (TFU) assumed responsibility for Uruzgan Province, southern Afghanistan, replacing the U.S.-led Operation Enduring Freedom in the region. The TFU, led by the Dutch, comprised approximately 1,200 Dutch troops and several hundred Australian personnel. The Dutch military sought to restore its reputation, particularly after its failure to prevent the Srebrenica massacre in 1995. The Dutch government emphasized that the mission would prioritize reconstruction over combat.
The TFU established its two primary bases near the towns of Tarinkot (Kamp Holland) and Deh Rawood. Additionally, two patrol bases were positioned in the Dehrashan Valley and north of Deh Rawood. The operational strategy followed the inkspot strategy, focusing initially on securing small areas around the main bases before expanding control through the clear-hold-build approach and winning hearts and minds initiatives.
In February 2007, the second TFU rotation arrived under the command of Colonel Hans van Griensven. The Battle Group deployed in spring 2007 was led by Lieutenant-Colonel Rob Querido. A Dutch Special Operations Forces detachment, known as Task Force Viper, was also integrated into the TFU. A Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) was responsible for the reconstruction.
Prior to the start of the TFU, the 2006 Dutch/Australian Offensive (including the Operation Perth) had cleared the Chora area. However, as no Australian troops remained to secure the valley, the Dutch opted to conduct irregular patrols in the region to hold and build, despite the limited resources. Later, the PRT resumed development efforts, undertaking projects such as constructing a school, a mosque, and a bridge.
By February 2007, reports indicated a growing Taliban presence around Chora, with intentions to launch attacks in the area. Following several skirmishes, the Taliban seized an Afghan National Police (ANP) checkpoint on April 26, 2007, near Kala Kala, located near the Baluchi pass to the Baluchi valley. An initial attempt by the ANP, supported by a Dutch platoon, to retake the checkpoint failed, but a second attempt succeeded on April 29, 2007. This incident prompted the decision to permanently station two platoons, part of the company 'A-Coy' commanded by Captain Larry Hamers in Chora's capital, Ali Shirzai. They used the government building nicknamed the 'White Compound' as their base.
Despite these efforts, Taliban activity persisted, with frequent harassment of ANP and Dutch patrols. In response, Dutch forces launched a three-day operation from May 22 to 24, 2007, targeting the Baluchi Pass and the Dehrashan Valley. While the operation resulted in engagements with Taliban forces, a significant buildup of insurgents could not be confirmed. During a visit by the commanding officer of Regional Command South, British Major General Jacko Page, on May 24, the Dutch requested Afghan reinforcements. On June 6, 30 soldiers from the Afghan National Army (ANA) arrived in Chora, accompanied by three Dutch members of the Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team.
On the day prior to the arrival of the ANA, a Dutch reconnaissance unit was ambushed near Nowri, approximately 35 kilometers northeast of Ali Shirzai, by an estimated 100 insurgents. The unit successfully disengaged, and with air support, an estimated 25–40 Taliban fighters were killed. Aerial footage confirmed a buildup of Taliban forces, while intercepted communications featuring foreign languages corroborated reports of the presence of possibly experienced foreign fighters. Estimates of the total number of Taliban fighters varied: the Afghan National Directorate of Security and ANA placed the figure between 150 and 250, while other sources suggested numbers ranging from 300 to 1,000.
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Battle of Chora
The Battle of Chora was a military engagement in Chora District, Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan, occurring from 15 to 19 June 2007. The battle was between ISAF – primarily composed of Dutch troops – and allied Afghan forces against anti-coalition militias (ACM), believed to be affiliated with the Taliban. The battle centered on control of the Chora District's administrative center, a strategic location for the Taliban due to its role as a key ground route linking the contested Gizab District in the north to the provincial capital, Tarinkot. According to some press reports, the fighting was the largest Taliban offensive of 2007 in Afghanistan, and resulted in the death of one Dutch soldier, as well as approximately 50 to 80 civilians and 70 Taliban fighters.
In August 2006, the ISAF Task Force Uruzgan (TFU) assumed responsibility for Uruzgan Province, southern Afghanistan, replacing the U.S.-led Operation Enduring Freedom in the region. The TFU, led by the Dutch, comprised approximately 1,200 Dutch troops and several hundred Australian personnel. The Dutch military sought to restore its reputation, particularly after its failure to prevent the Srebrenica massacre in 1995. The Dutch government emphasized that the mission would prioritize reconstruction over combat.
The TFU established its two primary bases near the towns of Tarinkot (Kamp Holland) and Deh Rawood. Additionally, two patrol bases were positioned in the Dehrashan Valley and north of Deh Rawood. The operational strategy followed the inkspot strategy, focusing initially on securing small areas around the main bases before expanding control through the clear-hold-build approach and winning hearts and minds initiatives.
In February 2007, the second TFU rotation arrived under the command of Colonel Hans van Griensven. The Battle Group deployed in spring 2007 was led by Lieutenant-Colonel Rob Querido. A Dutch Special Operations Forces detachment, known as Task Force Viper, was also integrated into the TFU. A Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) was responsible for the reconstruction.
Prior to the start of the TFU, the 2006 Dutch/Australian Offensive (including the Operation Perth) had cleared the Chora area. However, as no Australian troops remained to secure the valley, the Dutch opted to conduct irregular patrols in the region to hold and build, despite the limited resources. Later, the PRT resumed development efforts, undertaking projects such as constructing a school, a mosque, and a bridge.
By February 2007, reports indicated a growing Taliban presence around Chora, with intentions to launch attacks in the area. Following several skirmishes, the Taliban seized an Afghan National Police (ANP) checkpoint on April 26, 2007, near Kala Kala, located near the Baluchi pass to the Baluchi valley. An initial attempt by the ANP, supported by a Dutch platoon, to retake the checkpoint failed, but a second attempt succeeded on April 29, 2007. This incident prompted the decision to permanently station two platoons, part of the company 'A-Coy' commanded by Captain Larry Hamers in Chora's capital, Ali Shirzai. They used the government building nicknamed the 'White Compound' as their base.
Despite these efforts, Taliban activity persisted, with frequent harassment of ANP and Dutch patrols. In response, Dutch forces launched a three-day operation from May 22 to 24, 2007, targeting the Baluchi Pass and the Dehrashan Valley. While the operation resulted in engagements with Taliban forces, a significant buildup of insurgents could not be confirmed. During a visit by the commanding officer of Regional Command South, British Major General Jacko Page, on May 24, the Dutch requested Afghan reinforcements. On June 6, 30 soldiers from the Afghan National Army (ANA) arrived in Chora, accompanied by three Dutch members of the Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team.
On the day prior to the arrival of the ANA, a Dutch reconnaissance unit was ambushed near Nowri, approximately 35 kilometers northeast of Ali Shirzai, by an estimated 100 insurgents. The unit successfully disengaged, and with air support, an estimated 25–40 Taliban fighters were killed. Aerial footage confirmed a buildup of Taliban forces, while intercepted communications featuring foreign languages corroborated reports of the presence of possibly experienced foreign fighters. Estimates of the total number of Taliban fighters varied: the Afghan National Directorate of Security and ANA placed the figure between 150 and 250, while other sources suggested numbers ranging from 300 to 1,000.