4-August-2010

British and Afghan forces take Taliban strong hold of Sayedebad, southern Afghanistan

Soldiers serving with Somme Company, the 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, working jointly with the Afghan National Army (ANA), have seized and held the last Taliban stronghold of Sayedebad in southern Afghanistan.
Moving out under the cover of darkness, soldiers from 1 LANCS, the 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, 21 Engineer Regiment and the Counter IED Taskforce patrolled through fields and waist high irrigation ditches to reach the outskirts of the town. In a swift move under the protection of fire support being provided by troops out to the east, two compounds to the south of the village were cleared of possible insurgents and IEDs.
Major Darren Newman, Officer Commanding Somme Company explains the situation instance."
Security is the main focus for ISAF in this region. Although Sayedebad was free of insurgents, as the Shura was taking place heavy firing could be heard 800m to the north as Corruna Company, 1 LANCS continued its push south to open up the road between Sayedebad and Nad-e-Ali. The road continues to present a heavy IED threat to ISAF forces and the local population.
Major Newman concluded, "We'll now look to consolidate our position and start searching for improvised explosive devices in the vicinity of the local compounds and routes in and out. Where we find them we'll remove them."

M.O.D. video