US forces abandon Wanat outpost in Afghanistan after fierce Taleban attack
US forces have abandoned a small base in eastern Afghanistan that was the scene of an intense assault by Taleban fighters in which 9 US soldiers died. The base was quickly occupied by Taleban fighters after the departure of the US forces, according to local government officials.
The base was occupied by 45 US soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division and 25 Afghan soldiers. Just over half of the US garrison was killed or injured in the battle, with 9 US dead and 15 injured.
Afghan officials reported that the area was occupied by Taleban fighters after the US withdrawal. Privately, Western military sources told The Times that the Wanat Combat Outpost was poorly sited and overlooked on three sides by buildings in the village, which Taleban fighters from a force estimated to be around 200 strong were able to use as firing points.