Over the years, the Taliban, operating with the Haqqani Network, al Qaeda, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, and a host of smaller foreign jihadist groups, have launched several such attacks in the Afghan east or in Kandahar, but not in Helmand. The attack at Bastion appears to be very similar to other attacks at major Coalition installations in Afghanistan, as well as at Pakistani military bases inside Pakistan. The suicide assault is a common tactic in Afghanistan and Pakistan Bastion is located in the Dasht-i-Margo, or Desert of Death, and is not easily accessible. The Taliban occasionally launch rockets and mortars at Bastion and Leatherneck, but have yet to launch a massed assault there. “We have informed our commanders in Helmand to do whatever they can to eliminate him.” “We are using all our strength to get rid of him, either by killing or kidnapping,” spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told Reuters on Sept. Just four days ago, a Taliban spokesman said his group would do everything they could to kill or kidnap him while conducting the “Harry operations.” The base is known to host Britain’s Prince Harry, a helicopter pilot who just arrived in country. The attack caused “major damage to buildings, an aircraft hangar, and several military jets,” according to SKY News. ISAF said that Camp Bastion “is currently secure” and security forces “cleared the large base of attackers early this morning.” All of the fighters were killed except one, who was wounded and is in custody. “The attack, which began shortly after 10 p.m., killed two ISAF service members, wounded several and caused damage to multiple aircraft and structures along the base’s flight line.,” ISAF continued. ISAF later confirmed the attack and said that the fighters “infiltrated the perimeter” and “attacked International Security Assistance Force personnel and facilities using small arms, rocket-propelled grenades and suicide improvised explosive device vests.” The International Security Assistance Force issued a press release today announcing that “service members died following an insurgent attack in southern Afghanistan today,” but did not identify the troops.
Two ISAF soldiers, who are reported to be US Marines, were killed during the fighting and several more were wounded, according to Reuters. The attack took place early Saturday morning Afghan time at Camp Bastion, a large base in the middle of the desert in Helmand province that, along with the adjoining Camp Leatherneck, houses more than 21,000 US and British military personnel.Īn estimated jihadist fighters breached the perimeter and fought their way to the airfield. The attack is similar to other attacks carried out by a constellation of jihadist groups in both Pakistan and Afghanistan over the years. At least two Coalition soldiers were killed and several aircraft and a hangar were damaged during heavy fighting after the Taliban breached the wire. Jihadists launched a complex assault on a major Coalition military base in Helmand today.
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