Soviet Offensive in Sharafat Koh Canyons (1985)
| Soviet offensive on Sharafat Koh Canyons | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Soviet-Afghan War | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 Soviet Union Democratic Republic of Afghanistan |
 Afghan Mujahideen | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Unknown |
Haji Abdul Khelea Haji Ghulan Rasul Mawlawi Mohammad Shah | ||||||
| Units involved | |||||||
|
| Unknown | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 200 tanks | Unknown | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| Unknown | Heavy Mujahideen losses, including Mohammad Shah's son | ||||||
In 1985, Mujahideen leadership disputes led to their fragmentation into tribal units in different canyons: Haji Abdul Kheleq's Noorzai in Shaykh Razi Baba, Haji Ghulan Rasul Shiwani's Alizai and Barakzai in Kale-e Amani, and Mawlawi Mohammad Shah's Achakzai in Kale-e Kaneske. They Soviets clashed with artillery and airstrikes, killing Shah's son and forcing their retreat.[1] [2]They then targeted Kale-e Amani, causing heavy losses, before moving on to the already abandoned Shaykh Razi Baba, ending Mujahideen control at Sharafat Koh and pushing them to relocate bases in Iran.[1][2]
Background[edit]
In March 1983, Mawlawi Mohammad Shah led Mujahideen forces to attack the DRA 4th Border Guards Brigade in Nimruz Province with weapons supplied by Iran. The attack failed, resulting in 35 Mujahideen deaths and his son's severe injury. This defeat weakened the Sharafat Koh Front and disrupted Shah's planned alliance with other Iranian-backed leaders.[1]
Despite setbacks, Shah's group prepared for a Soviet assault on their base. They laid mines and took defensive positions. Soviet forces launched air and ground attacks over several days. The Mujahideen, though heavily bombarded, managed to repel the Soviets, who eventually retreated. The battle highlighted the Mujahideen's resilience despite limited resources and marked a significant episode in the Soviet-Afghan conflict.[2]