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The Other Side of the Mountain: Mujahideen ... - Tribal Analysis Center

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Herat<br />

CHAPTER 1<br />

AMBUSHES<br />

<strong>The</strong> ambush is a favorite tactic <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> guerrilla since it allows him<br />

to mass forces covertly, attack <strong>the</strong> enemy, seize needed supplies and<br />

retreat before <strong>the</strong> enemy can effectively react. <strong>The</strong> ambush has long<br />

been part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Afghan warrior tradition and has been a key feature<br />

<strong>of</strong> historic Afghan warfare—whe<strong>the</strong>r fighting o<strong>the</strong>r tribes, <strong>the</strong> British<br />

or <strong>the</strong> government. <strong>The</strong> <strong>Mujahideen</strong> ambush served to attack <strong>the</strong><br />

Soviet/DRA lines <strong>of</strong> communication, provided needed supplies, and<br />

forced <strong>the</strong> bulk <strong>of</strong> Soviet/DRA maneuver forces to perform security missions..<br />

Logistics were key to <strong>the</strong> conduct <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Soviet/Afghan War and<br />

<strong>Mujahideen</strong> ambushes threatened <strong>the</strong> resupply <strong>of</strong> Soviet and DRA<br />

forces and limited <strong>the</strong> number <strong>of</strong> Soviet troops that could be deployed<br />

into <strong>the</strong> country. <strong>The</strong> <strong>Mujahideen</strong> ambush was <strong>the</strong>ir most effective<br />

counter to Soviet/DRA military activity and threatened <strong>the</strong> ability <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> Soviets and DRA to prosecute <strong>the</strong> war.<br />

Mazer-e<br />

Sharif<br />

KABUL<br />

Kandahar /<br />

11<br />

6 13 4,,r<br />

12<br />

15<br />

16 10 141 ..<br />

,Jalalabad<br />

2<br />

3,7<br />

Gardez<br />

Afghanistan<br />

Chapter 1<br />

Incidents<br />

9<br />

8 Asadabad

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