Fall of Sangin
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Major Taliban victory
- Taliban capture Sangin
- Afghan forces withdrew from Sangin
| Fall of Sangin | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 Taliban |
 Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Supported by:  United States | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
|
Mullah Agha †[1] (shadow Governor of Helmand) |
Mohammad Rasoul[2] (Sangin police chief) | ||||||
| Units involved | |||||||
| Red Unit (Taliban special forces)[3] | |||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| Unknown | 338 215th Corps (8 Officers) [4] | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 111 killed, 40 injured[5] | 132+ killed unknown wounded [6] | ||||||
| 50+ Civilians killed and 35 Civilians wounded by American Airstrikes | |||||||
The town of Sangin, in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, was captured by the Taliban on 23 March 2017. For two months, the Taliban had launched fresh attacks in trying to recapture the town.[7]
In January, Taliban fighters launched a strong attack against government positions in Sangin, killing more than 100 soldiers and police officers, but they were driven back with help from extra troops and airstrikes. Officials said the fighters used tunnels from private houses to reach front-line government checkpoints.[6] Also on 31 January, 19 Taliban fighters were killed and 25 others wounded. Two Afghan service members were killed and as many wounded during the clashes.[8]
On 2 February, at least 32 Taliban insurgents were killed, including three commanders and 40 wounded during an attack on a military base in Sangin district during the past four days, provincial governor's office said in a statement.[5] On 11 February, Helmand governor Hayatullah Hayat said at least 60 Taliban insurgents were killed at night in security operations backed foreign air forces, which caused civilians casualties.[9] Later, the United Nations mission in Afghanistan said that US airstrikes in Sangin occurred on 9 and 10 February and initial inquiries suggest that the airstrikes killed at least 18 civilians, nearly all women and children.[10]
