The Enduring Legacy Of The 'Do Ab' Region In Afghanistan's History And Culture

Do Ab, meaning two rivers in Persian, is a district in Afghanistan's eastern province of Nuristan. In 2021, the Do Ab district was abandoned by government forces after 20 days of resistance against the Taliban. The militants had blocked all supply routes, leaving government forces unable to receive food or ammunition. This surrender allowed the Taliban to connect the Panjshir, Badakhshan, and Nuristan provinces and threaten the neighbouring Laghman province. In 2011, US troops fought for hours to aid Afghan security forces in retaking a district centre in Do Ab that had been overrun by Taliban fighters.

Do Ab is a district in Afghanistan's eastern province of Nuristan

Do Ab, also known as Doab, is a district in Afghanistan's eastern province of Nuristan. The name Do Ab means "two rivers" in Persian. In 2021, the district was abandoned by government forces after 20 days of resistance against the Taliban. The Taliban had blocked all supply routes, preventing government forces from receiving food and ammunition. This forced the government forces to evacuate, leaving Do Ab district under Taliban control.

The fall of Do Ab was part of a series of Taliban gains in Afghanistan's eastern provinces. The district is strategically located, connecting the provinces of Panjshir, Badakhshan, and Nuristan. With the capture of Do Ab, the Taliban also posed a threat to the neighbouring Laghman province.

The Taliban's offensive in Do Ab district resulted in the displacement of thousands of Afghans. The Taliban's attacks on provincial capitals, districts, bases, and checkpoints intensified following the withdrawal of US and NATO troops from Afghanistan. The US military withdrawal provided an opportunity for the Taliban to expand their control over additional districts and provinces.

In the weeks leading up to the US and NATO withdrawal, violent clashes between Taliban and US-led forces were expected and occurred. In one instance, US forces came to the aid of Afghan security forces in retaking a district centre in Do Ab that had been captured by the Taliban. Despite facing challenging odds and heavy fire, US air support played a crucial role in preventing Afghan forces from being overrun.

The struggle for control of Do Ab district exemplifies the complex and volatile situation in Afghanistan, where various factions and alliances have long competed for power. The Taliban's gains in the region have had significant consequences for the local population and the overall security situation in the country.

Do Ab was captured by the Taliban in 2021

The Taliban made significant territorial gains in the countryside, increasing the number of districts they controlled from 73 to 223 in the first three months of the offensive. They utilised social media to their advantage, and strategically attacked northern provinces. The Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) followed US-recommended strategy, sacrificing rural areas to defend key urban centres. This allowed the Taliban freedom of movement on the main Afghan highways.

In June, the Taliban captured 69 districts from the Afghan government, including the cities of Kunduz and Puli Khumri. They also seized Afghanistan's main border crossing with Tajikistan, and captured 700 trucks and Humvees from Afghan security forces.

On June 22, the Taliban took control of Sher Khan Bandar, Afghanistan's main Tajikistan border crossing, and 13 districts fell within 24 hours. On the same day, there was heavy fighting in Baghlan Province, with 17 Taliban fighters killed.

On June 25, the Taliban took control of the Shinwari and Ghorband districts in Parwan Province, north of Kabul. NBC News reported that the Taliban were surprised at the speed of their advance and avoided capturing some targets to avoid conflict with the US.

The Taliban continued their offensive, capturing more districts and border crossings. On August 6, they began direct assaults on multiple urban areas, including Kandahar and Herat. On August 15, 2021, Taliban fighters entered the capital, Kabul, and President Ashraf Ghani fled the country. The Afghan government collapsed, and the Taliban announced they had taken control of Kabul and were establishing checkpoints to maintain security.

The speed of the Taliban's gains and the collapse of the ANSF surprised US officials and allies, as well as reportedly, the Taliban themselves. The Taliban's takeover resulted in a regression of rights and freedoms in Afghanistan, particularly for women.

Do Ab is also the name of a village in Bamiyan Province, Afghanistan

Do Ab, also spelt Dow Ab or Du Ab, is the name of a village in Bamiyan Province, Afghanistan. The name means "two rivers" in Persian.

There are several other places with the same name in Afghanistan and Iran, including a prison in Panjshir, Afghanistan, and a rural area near Tehran, Iran.

In July 2011, US troops fought for hours to aid Afghan security forces in retaking a district centre in Do Ab, Nuristan, that had been overrun by Taliban fighters. The US forces were surrounded by around 300 insurgents and came under heavy fire. During the battle, Lt Col Daren Sorenson and his wingman flew low over the valley in their F-15s but the insurgents were unfazed. Sorenson dropped 14 bombs during the operation, yet the fighting continued. The battle lasted several hours and eventually ended with no US fatalities and an estimated 200 Taliban killed.

In June 2021, government forces abandoned the Do Ab district in Nuristan to the Taliban after 20 days of resistance. Taliban militants had blocked all supply routes, forcing government forces to evacuate without food or ammunition.

Do Ab Prison is a prison in Panjshir, Afghanistan

Do Ab Prison is a prison located in Panjshir, Afghanistan. The name "Do Ab" means "two rivers" in Persian. Panjshir is a province in northeastern Afghanistan, known for its rugged and mountainous terrain. It is considered a strategically important region due to its proximity to the capital, Kabul, and its history as a stronghold of resistance during the Soviet-Afghan War and the Taliban regime.

In recent years, Do Ab Prison and the Panjshir Valley have been the site of significant events in Afghanistan's volatile political landscape. In 2021, the Taliban captured the Do Ab district in the eastern province of Nuristan after 20 days of resistance from government forces. This event marked a significant military gain for the Taliban, as they continued to make advancements in the country. The district's fall was a result of blocked supply routes, which left government forces without food or ammunition.

The loss of the Do Ab district had broader implications as it connected the provinces of Panjshir, Badakhshan, and Nuristan. With the militants' control of the district, the neighbouring Laghman province was also considered under threat. This series of events contributed to the displacement of tens of thousands of Afghans and heightened concerns about the security situation in the country.

The prison is also notable for its proximity to the Panjshir Valley, which has historically served as a strategic stronghold and a centre of resistance. Following the fall of Kabul to the Taliban in 2021, anti-Taliban forces regrouped in the Panjshir Valley, led by Ahmad Massoud, the son of a famous Afghan commander. This valley remained the only region of Afghanistan that was not under Taliban control at the time. However, the Taliban soon launched an offensive and claimed to have gained control of the valley, solidifying their dominance across the country.

Do Ab-e Mikh-e Zarrin is a place in Afghanistan

Do Ab-e Mikh-e Zarrin, also spelt Do Abe and Do ab-E Mikh-E Zarrin, is a village in Bamiyan Province in central Afghanistan. It is located in a pass in a mountainous region northeast of Bamiyan town on the Ghandak highway, 10 km from the border with Baghlan Province.

Do Ab-e Mikh-e Zarrin is the centre of a coal mining industry that employs manual methods to extract coal from shafts in sacks. Coal seams visible on the surface are followed deep underground. The shaft roof is unsupported, so accidents are common. Prior to the establishment of a weigh station in 2007, coal smuggling across the border into Baghlan was rife.

The village has a bazaar, a coal weigh station, and a police checkpoint.

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