Operation Buzzard was one of a series of operations in Operation Jacana. Operation Jacana was primarily designed to hunt down and “Clean-up” the remaining Al-Qaida and Taliban insurgents who had survived or escaped during the earlier Operation Anaconda.
Counterinsurgency: Forced al-Qaeda and the Taliban to abandon a large-scale presence in much of the region. Starts May 29, 2002.
According to US and British officials, British military personnel have been positioned near the Pakistani border with the aim of preventing the return of al-Qaida and Taliban fighters to Afghanistan. This operation, called Operation Buzzard, is scheduled to last several weeks, longer than previous similar initiatives. Notably, it coincides with indications that Pakistan is preparing to withdraw its troops from border patrols.
In contrast to previous British operations that occurred in rugged mountainous regions, the current deployment is concentrated in the plains south and east of Khost, in close proximity to the Pakistani border. This area holds strategic significance for border crossings. The British soldiers will engage closely with the local population, seeking their support for the mission.
Coalition officials have cautioned about the potential infiltration of al-Qaida and Taliban fighters across the border, possibly leading to insurgency attacks, such as suicide bombings, aimed at disrupting the upcoming loya jirga meeting. The loya jirga, or grand council, is scheduled to convene from June 10-15 to select a transitional government for Afghanistan, uniting its divided factions.
Under Operation Buzzard, British forces will carry out patrols in both populated and rural areas outside Khost, utilizing helicopters, foot patrols, and vehicles. While approximately 300 British troops have been deployed in the region over the past three days, the number could increase to 700 according to a senior British official.
As of now, US and Afghan officials claim to lack specific information regarding threats targeting the loya jirga, set to take place in two weeks. The primary objective of the gathering is to establish an 18-month government from Afghanistan’s factions, known for their historical divisions and occasional violent conflicts.
Videos
- View a video from the AP showing British Royal Marines in action during Operation Buzzard.
- View a video from the AP showing British Royal Marines in action during Operation Buzzard
Major Richard King, Royal Marines spokesperson: “The general purpose at the moment is to go to area where we’re going to operate and first of all gather intelligence on the area. At the moment it’s unknown exactly what is occurring there, where the AQT (al-Qaida Taliban) and, more to the point, what the warlords there are doing. Our primary aim, our first aim, is intelligence gathering. Additionally we’re going to act as a stabilisation force, within the region we’re going itself by using humanitarian aid so therefore sort of bringing them into the fold of the Western thought. But also our presence there will also stop any AQT infiltration back into Afghanistan to disrupt the political process that’s going on at the time. But during all of this we will be prepared for offensive operations, if we can stimulate AQT activity we can direct our forces against the personnel and it’s infrastructure to destroy it.”