Battle of Kandahar 2011

The Battle of Kandahar occurred on May 7, 2011, when Taliban forces launched an attack in the city, marking their largest offensive of 2011. The battle resulted in over 40 deaths and more than 50 injuries, demonstrating the Taliban's persistent threat despite significant losses since 2001. The fighting also showed that insurgent morale remained high even after the death of Osama bin Laden. Kandahar had long been a hub for insurgents, prompting NATO and U.S. forces to launch a year-long campaign in 2010 to drive out the Taliban and al-Qaeda. While successful in reducing their presence, insurgents continued to operate in the city. The attack began early in the morning when 40–60 militants (the Taliban claimed 200) used rocket-propelled grenades, guns, and other weapons to target the governor's office and nearby buildings. They also attacked police stations, outposts, and local offices, often using suicide bombers. These bombings killed four civilians and wounded 50. The fighting subsided overnight but resumed on Sunday, with militants taking cover in abandoned buildings. Afghan police eventually cornered a group of Taliban fighters in a hotel, killing over 20 before the last two were neutralized—one by gunfire and another who detonated a suicide vest. The battle lasted two days before most Taliban forces were pushed out of Kandahar. Casualty reports varied, with AFP stating 12 insurgents killed and seven captured, while the Interior Ministry reported 23 attackers killed, including eight wearing suicide vests. Six police officers were killed and four wounded in the attack, and another ...