Bagram Base Under Siege: A History Of Attacks And Resilience

Bagram Airfield, formerly the largest US military base in Afghanistan, has been the target of numerous attacks by the Taliban. The base, located 11 kilometres southeast of Charikar in the Parwan Province of Afghanistan, has been a key target due to its strategic importance and the presence of US and coalition forces. One of the most notable attacks occurred in December 2019 when a Taliban suicide bomber targeted a medical facility under construction adjacent to the base, killing two Afghan civilians and wounding dozens of others. There have been several other attacks on the base over the years, including rocket attacks, mortar attacks, and complex assaults involving multiple attackers wearing suicide vests. These attacks have resulted in casualties among US and coalition forces, as well as Afghan civilians and military personnel. The security situation in Afghanistan has been a cause for concern, with the Taliban increasing attacks on Western targets and a rise in terrorist incidents attributed to groups such as the Taliban and ISIS-K.

The 2019 Bagram Airfield attack by the Taliban involved a car bomb and assault on a medical facility, killing two civilians and wounding 73 others

On December 11, 2019, the Taliban attacked Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, which was controlled by the US military at the time. The attack involved a car bomb and an assault on a medical facility, resulting in the deaths of two civilians and injuries to 73 others.

The attack began in the early morning when a car bomb exploded outside the southern part of the base, targeting a medical facility that was under construction. This initial explosion set the tone for the daring attack, which lasted nearly 12 hours and significantly damaged the medical facility.

Soon after the car bomb detonated, Taliban insurgents launched an assault on the western part of the base. They were, however, unsuccessful in their attempt to enter the main portion of the base, as US-led NATO forces repelled the attack. Despite this, the Taliban fighters managed to engage in a firefight with Afghan and coalition forces, resulting in casualties on both sides.

The medical facility, intended to serve Afghan civilians living near the base, suffered extensive damage. The blast from the car bomb caused ceiling debris and plaster to scatter across the passenger terminal, requiring a significant cleanup and salvage operation by US Air Force Airmen.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, which came amidst peace talks between the Taliban and US negotiators. This assault highlighted the complexities of the situation in Afghanistan, as the Taliban's pursuit of violent attacks coexisted with their engagement in peace negotiations.

A 2013 Taliban mortar attack killed four US troops and injured several others

On June 13, 2013, a Taliban mortar attack killed four American troops and injured several others. The attack was one of many that have taken place at Bagram Airfield, which served as the largest U.S. base in Afghanistan for much of the war since it began in 2001.

The Taliban mortar attack in 2013 was not an isolated incident. Here is a timeline of other attacks that have occurred at or near Bagram Airfield:

• February 2007: A suicide attack at a security gate killed 23 people and injured 20 more. This attack took place while Vice President Dick Cheney was visiting and was claimed by the Taliban.
• June 2009: A rocket attack killed two U.S. soldiers and wounded at least six others.
• May 2010: About a dozen insurgents attacked Bagram's north end, killing one American contractor and wounding nine service members. The attackers were dressed in U.S. Army uniforms.
• April 2013: A Boeing 747 crashed shortly after taking off, killing all seven U.S. crew members.
• November 2013: A rocket attack killed two civilian contractors.
• April 2019: A roadside bomb near the base killed three Marines, injured three others, and wounded a contractor. The Taliban claimed responsibility for this attack.

These attacks highlight the dangerous and unpredictable nature of the conflict in Afghanistan and the significant loss of life that has occurred over the years.

A rocket attack in 2013 killed two civilian contractors

Bagram Airfield, formerly the largest U.S. military base in Afghanistan, has been the target of numerous attacks over the years. In 2013, the base came under rocket attack once again, resulting in the tragic deaths of two civilian contractors. This incident occurred on Thanksgiving evening, as the contractors were sleeping in their B-hut on the southern part of the airfield.

The rocket attack that took the lives of these two civilians was not an isolated event. Throughout its history, Bagram Airfield has been a frequent target of insurgent and Taliban attacks, including rocket and mortar strikes. The base's proximity to Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, and its strategic importance have made it a significant target.

The year 2013 saw several deadly incidents at Bagram Airfield. In addition to the rocket attack that killed the two civilian contractors, there were other attacks that claimed the lives of U.S. troops and Afghan civilians. The increasing frequency of these attacks highlights the dangerous and volatile nature of the region during this period.

The presence of civilian contractors at Bagram Airfield is not uncommon. They often work alongside military personnel, providing various services and support. Unfortunately, these contractors have also been victims of attacks, as evidenced by the 2013 rocket attack and other incidents mentioned in records of the War in Afghanistan.

The deaths of the two civilian contractors in the 2013 rocket attack at Bagram Airfield are a tragic reminder of the risks faced by those working in conflict zones. Their deaths, along with those of other contractors and military personnel, underscore the dangers inherent in such environments and the importance of ensuring the safety and security of individuals serving in these regions.

A 2010 attack by insurgents dressed in US Army uniforms killed one US contractor and wounded nine service members

In May 2010, insurgents dressed in US Army uniforms launched an attack on Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, killing one American contractor and wounding nine US soldiers. The assault was carried out by a group of nearly a dozen insurgents who attacked the north end of the base. The insurgents were armed with suicide vests and managed to breach the perimeter fence. However, they were unable to detonate their suicide vests and failed to breach the base perimeter.

A building was slightly damaged during the attack, and the insurgents inflicted no casualties on coalition forces. The Taliban claimed that 20 armed men participated in the attack and that four of them detonated explosives at the entrances. The Taliban spokesman also asserted that the attack was in response to the anti-Islam film that sparked anger across the Muslim world.

The attack on Bagram Air Base was one of several incidents where insurgents wore US Army uniforms during assaults on coalition bases in Afghanistan. In September 2012, a group of 15 insurgents attacked a US-British military complex, including Camp Leatherneck and Camp Bastion. The insurgents, dressed in US Army uniforms, were armed with automatic rifles, rocket-propelled grenade launchers, and suicide vests. They inflicted considerable damage, destroying six AV-8B Harrier jets and damaging six aircraft hangars and refueling stations.

The use of US Army uniforms by insurgents in Afghanistan has been a concern, with reports indicating that the uniforms and weapons were captured from stockpiles provided to the Afghan Army by US special forces. The Taliban has also released propaganda videos featuring its fighters dressed in US military uniforms and carrying US-made weapons.

A 2007 suicide bombing at a security gate killed 23 people and wounded 20 more

On , a suicide bomber detonated explosives at one of the security gates of Bagram Airfield, killing 23 people and wounding 20 more. The attack took place at around 10 am local time. The dead included a US soldier, PFC Daniel Zizumbo; a US contractor; SSG Yoon Jang-ho, a South Korean soldier; and 20 Afghan workers at the base.

US Vice President Dick Cheney was on the base at the time of the attack, having arrived in Afghanistan the previous day to meet with US allies. US officials reported that Cheney was never in danger and was about a mile away from the explosion. However, a purported Taliban spokesman, Qari Yousef Ahmadi, claimed that the Taliban had advance knowledge of Cheney's visit and that he was the intended target. Another Taliban spokesman later confirmed that Osama bin Laden planned the attack. This claim is supported by the relatively limited number of large suicide bombings in Afghanistan, the intensity of this particular attack, and the fact that Cheney was at the base.

Media sources remarked that this picture of the bombing undermined the skeptical statements of US officials and supported the Taliban's claim that the bombing was a serious attempt on Cheney's life.

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