2009 in Afghanistan

none 2009 Events from the year 2009 in Afghanistan Incumbents President: Hamid Karzai First Vice President: Ahmad Zia Massoud then Mohammed Fahim Second Vice President: Karim Khalili Chief Justice: Abdul Salam Azimi Events January 10 January - Tribesmen use vehicles to block the road to protest a raid by Pakistani counter-narcotics forces that left one villager dead. The protesters withdraw 4 days later after police promise to take their complaints to provincial authorities.Pakistan reopens NATO supply route, AP wire story, The New York Times, October 14, 2009 February February 6–7 - British and Afghan forces carry out Operation Diesel near Sangin, Helmand Province.2009-02-18 British forces in Afghanistan seize £50m of heroin and kill 20 Taliban https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/onthefrontline/4681443/British-forces-in-Afghanistan-seize-50m-of-heroin-and-kill-20-Taliban.html 2025-08-08 The Telegraph en April 1 April - Four suicide attackers storm Kandahar provincial council offices, killing 13 people including senior government officials; the attackers are disguised in Afghan military uniforms.admin 2009-05-15 Highlights in Terrorist Activity – April 1, 2009 to April 30, 2009 https://ctc.westpoint.edu/highlights-in-terrorist-activity-april-1-2009-to-april-30-2009/ 2025-08-08 Combating Terrorism Center at West Point en-US Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid dismisses a U.S. reconciliation offer, insisting foreign troop withdrawal is the only way to end conflict. 7 April - Afghan soldiers kill three insurgents, and three soldiers are wounded, during an ambush in western Farah.2009-04-08 Factbox - Security developments in Afghanistan, 8 Apr 2009 - Afghanistan ReliefWeb https://reliefweb.int/report/afghanistan/factbox-security-developments-afghanistan-8-apr-2009 2025-08-08 reliefweb.int en 9 April - A suicide bomber targets the counternarcotics police in Lashkar Gah, Helmand Province, killing five people including two police officers. 12 April - Prominent female politician Sitara Achakzai is assassinated by Taliban gunmen in Kandahar after a council meeting. 13 April - The Taliban publicly execute a young couple in Nimroz Province for trying to elope, shooting them in front of a mosque. 15 April - About 3,000 new U.S. troops are deployed near Kabul to push back the Taliban, improving security but increasing an expectation of short-term violence to rise.2009-04-15 U.S. says new troops push Taliban away from Kabul https://www.reuters.com/article/world/us-says-new-troops-push-taliban-away-from-kabul-idUSTRE53E2MH/ 2025-08-08 Reuters en-US 16 April - Afghan police arrest the two men accused of killing Sitara Achakzai. May 4 May - The Granai airstrike kills 86-147 people, mostly children, when American aircraft bomb a village in Farah Province.Tran Mark 2009-06-03 US military admits errors in air strikes that killed scores of Afghan civilians https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/jun/03/afghanistan-us-airstrikes-errors 2025-08-08 The Guardian en-GB 0261-3077 June 19 June - Operation Panther's Claw is launched to secure key areas in Helmand; there is heavy fighting and significant casualties, including Lt Col Rupert Thorneloe’s death. The first stage is declared successful 8 days later, followed by efforts to hold territory.2009-07-27 Afghanistan offensive 'a success' http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/8170432.stm 2025-08-08 en-GB 21 June - Two U.S. servicemembers are killed and six wounded in an indirect-fire attack on Bagram Airfield; Afghan and coalition forces also detain four suspected militants in Ghazni province.22 June 2009 Bagram Airfield attack kills 2 U.S. servicemembers, wounds 6 https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/119950/bagram-airfield-attack-kills-2-us-servicemembers-wounds-6/ 8 August 2025 af.mil July 2 July - Operation Strike of the Sword begins. It is a major US-led offensive in Helmand province targeting Taliban strongholds, involving 4,000 Marines and Afghan troops, resulting in partial coalition gains and improved security before the presidential elections.Kates Brian 2 July 2009 Obama Launches First Major Offensive in Afghanistan https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2009/07/02/obama-launches-major-offensive-in-afghanistan 8 August 2025 usnews 18 July - A U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet crashes in eastern Afghanistan, killing both crew members.2009-07-20 Bomb kills four U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan https://www.reuters.com/article/world/middle-east/bomb-kills-four-us-soldiers-in-afghanistan-idUSTRE56J4F3/ 2025-08-08 Reuters en-US 19 July - A British soldier is killed by an explosion in Helmand province; a civilian Mi-8 transport helicopter crashes at Kandahar Air Field, killing 16 people. 20 July - Four U.S. soldiers are killed by a roadside bomb in eastern Afghanistan; a British Tornado GR4 fighter jet crashes at Kandahar Air Field, but both crew members are ejected safely with minor injuries. August 4-5 August - U.S. Army Rangers raid an enemy camp in Khost Province, killing 20 insurgents and destroying weapons; Staff Sgt. Michael E. Norton rescues two comrades under heavy fire.https://www.army.mil/article/31512/Ranger_receives_Silver_Star_for_combat_actions Ranger receives Silver Star for combat actions army.mil 9 December 2009 20 August - 2009 Afghan presidential election September 11 September - The International Council on Security and Development reports the Taliban has a permanent presence in 80% of Afghanistan and substantial presence in 17%, but critics say the methodology exaggerates control.Threat Matrix - By The Long War Journal https://www.longwarjournal.org/threat-matrix/2009/09/icos_rating_on_taliban_control.php 2025-08-08 www.longwarjournal.org 3-4 September - A battle by Spanish and Italian forces of NATO's Afghan branch against Taliban forces and militant Tajik tribals erupts. 1 Spanish soldier and 3 insurgents are injured, and 13 insurgents are killed.https://ejercito.defensa.gob.es/en/personal/cruces_rojas/07_paso_sabzak.html .:Spanish army - Sabzak Pass:. ejercito.defensa.gob.es 2020-03-07https://ejercito.defensa.gob.es/en/personal/cruces_rojas/08_paso_sabzak_ii.html .:Spanish army - Sabzak Pass (II):. ejercito.defensa.gob.es 2020-03-07 4 September - The Kunduz airstrike kills up to 179 people. An American F-15E fighter jet strikes two fuel tankers captured by Taliban insurgents; a large number of civilians are also killed in the attack.Gebauer Matthias 2010-08-06 Aftermath of an Afghanistan Tragedy: Germany to Pay $500,000 for Civilian Bombing Victims https://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/aftermath-of-an-afghanistan-tragedy-germany-to-pay-500-000-for-civilian-bombing-victims-a-710439.html 2025-08-08 Der Spiegel en 2195-1349 9 September - A Special Boat Service–Afghan unit, backed by SFSG, rescues journalist Stephen Farrell from the Taliban in Kunduz; several Taliban are killed, along with one SFSG soldier, Farrell's interpreter, and two civilians.https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/sep/09/british-soldier-killed-afghanistan British soldier killed during rescue of kidnapped journalist in Afghanistan The Guardian 9 September 20098 October 2013 The Telegraph Army anger as soldier killed saving journalist who ignored Taliban warning https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/afghanistan/6163453/Army-anger-as-soldier-killed-saving-journalist-who-ignored-Taliban-warning.html London Andrew Pierce 9 Sep 2009 October 28 October - An attack on a guesthouse housing UN election staff kills five UN personnel and three Afghans, causing the relocation or removal of 600 international UN staff.Human Rights Watch Afghanistan: Events of 2009 2010-01-20 Share this via Facebook https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2010/country-chapters/afghanistan 2025-08-08 en November 6 November - Ambassador Eikenberry warns Hillary Clinton that more troops will delay Afghan self-reliance and prolong U.S. withdrawal.Schmitt Eric https://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/26/world/asia/26strategy.html U.S. Envoy's Cables Show Deep Concerns on Afghan Strategy NYTimes.com 2010-01-25 2010-02-09 https://web.archive.org/web/20100203174924/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/26/world/asia/26strategy.html 3 February 2010 live December 7 December - Afghan President Karzai declares that it may be five years before his army is ready to take on the insurgents. Karzai also mentions that Afghanistan's security forces will need U.S. support for another 15 to 20 years.https://www.latimes.com/news/nation-and-world/la-fg-afghan-mcchrystal9-2009dec09,0,224382.story Afghanistan will need U.S. help for 15 to 20 years, Karzai says – Los Angeles Times Los Angeles Times 2009-12-09 2010-02-09 dead Julian E. Barnes Tony Perry https://web.archive.org/web/20091213004638/http://www.latimes.com/news/nation-and-world/la-fg-afghan-mcchrystal9-2009dec09%2C0%2C224382.story December 13, 2009 https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/08/karzai-afghan-army-will-n_n_383820.html Karzai: Afghan Army Will Need Help Until 2024 Huffingtonpost.com 2009-12-08 2010-02-09 17 December - The Taliban offered to give the U.S. "legal guarantees" that they will not allow Afghanistan to be used for attacks on other countries. There was no formal American response.http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/KL17Df02.html Asia Times Online :: South Asia news, business and economy from India and Pakistan Atimes.com 2009-12-17 2010-02-09 https://web.archive.org/web/20100210020736/http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/KL17Df02.html 10 February 2010 unfit 16-18 December - Operation Septentrion: An ISAF mission in Uzbin Valley is conducted by French, US, and Afghan troops to reclaim Taliban-held areas; brief combat leaves several US wounded and at least one Taliban dead. 27 December - Night raid on Narang: A NATO-authorized night raid in Narang kills 10 civilians, mostly schoolchildren, sparking condemnation and protests.Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera https://www.aljazeera.com/ 2025-08-08 Al Jazeera en Deaths In overall 2009, 520 NATO soldiers killed. 317 US soldiers, 108 UK soldiers and 95 Other NATO soldiers killed in 2009. See also 2008 in Afghanistan other events of 2009 2010 in Afghanistan Timeline of the War in Afghanistan (2001-present) Coalition combat operations in Afghanistan in 2009 References External links Human Rights First; Undue Process: An Examination of Detention and Trials of Bagram Detainees in Afghanistan in April 2009 (2009) 2009 in Category:Timelines of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) Category:Years of the 21st century in Afghanistan Afghanistan Afghanistan Category:2000s in Afghanistan