Qatar Kala
Watapor Valley, eastern Afghanistan.
Qatar Kala is a small village in the highlands of eastern Afghanistan. Terraced fields of wheat and poppies surround it. The village lies in the valley of the Watapor River, a narrow tributary of the Pech River further south.
The border region between Afghanistan and Pakistan has seen more than its share of conflict. Smugglers, bandits, insurgents and soldiers are facts of life in the Watapor River valley.
The US military built a clinic in Qatar Kala to demonstrate to the Afghans that they have more to gain from the Americans than from the Taliban. Initially the clinic was a success and the US soldiers built relationships with the local villagers.
But last spring the Taliban blew the clinic up, and insurgent activity in the region increased. Qatar Kala is now a staging area for Taliban fighters moving to attack US outposts along the frontier.
The US soldiers’ last visit to Qatar Kala was three months ago. Now it’s time to put in another appearance.
Troops of the 4th Infantry Division - "IRON HORSE" - are headed to Qatar Kala, ready for anything.
Watapor Valley, eastern Afghanistan.
Qatar Kala is a small village in the highlands of eastern Afghanistan. Terraced fields of wheat and poppies surround it. The village lies in the valley of the Watapor River, a narrow tributary of the Pech River further south.
The border region between Afghanistan and Pakistan has seen more than its share of conflict. Smugglers, bandits, insurgents and soldiers are facts of life in the Watapor River valley.
The US military built a clinic in Qatar Kala to demonstrate to the Afghans that they have more to gain from the Americans than from the Taliban. Initially the clinic was a success and the US soldiers built relationships with the local villagers.
But last spring the Taliban blew the clinic up, and insurgent activity in the region increased. Qatar Kala is now a staging area for Taliban fighters moving to attack US outposts along the frontier.
The US soldiers’ last visit to Qatar Kala was three months ago. Now it’s time to put in another appearance.
Troops of the 4th Infantry Division - "IRON HORSE" - are headed to Qatar Kala, ready for anything.
