Op Spear 02 - 2024/07/13

Situation

After 40 Commando successfully deployed to the region and convoyed to FOB Nauzad it became immediately clear that ZLF forces knew they were coming. A VBIED attack on the convoy just barely missed, detonating shortly after arrival just outside the entrance to the FOB. Intel recovered from the active cell phone locations (cell phone 1 and cell phone 2) show an some knowledge of UK forces entering the region by someone known as "Khalid", believed to be Khalid Ahmadi a suspected high ranking member of ZLF. It appears he is responsible for coordinating forces in the region. 

During the evening hours of the night after UK operations had been conducted, a UN convoy escorting IDAP workers were caught in an IED explosion near the edge of the green zone on their way to Kakoran to deliver humanitarian supplies to a village elder for distribution inside of ZLF controlled territory further south. 

An IDAP contact involved in the convoy diverted to the town of Sufian after the UN IED incident to hand out supplies. In the early morning he reported seeing a convoy of ammunition and mortars being brought into the green zone but contact was lost for unknown reasons. Information regarding the location or direction the convoy headed could provide a valuable target to destroy and disrupt ZLF support in the area. 

IDAP relayed information from civilians who were appreciative of being able to return to their homes in the town of Zaranj. The intel suggested a ZLF camp to the eastern edge of the green-zone that was used when fighters were rotated between Zaranj and the camp to keep it occupied. Some civilians also reported hearing from fighters about a significant cache of ammunition in the area near the camp.

Acknowledgements

Reference situation report for known factions and how to identify them

Within the green-zone is the majority of the civilian population. ZLF compounds may have little to no civilian presence however there is still likely to be civilians nearby. It is important we keep their opinions of our presence positive else ZLF may gain more of a foothold and members in the region. 

The IED Factory to the North West of the green zone should not be engaged. The intent is to leave the position alone at the risk of a higher IED threat in the short term based on intel that the Phantom Maker is back in the region shortly and will return to the location where a raid can be conducted to capture him, reducing the long term threat of IEDs.

Intent & Tasking(s)

The main intent of Operation Spear is to confirm the current status and possible location of Ryder Stone and to apprehend the "Phantom Maker" responsible for making the bombs that detonated in the UK port. Secondary intent is to assist CTD in removing ZLF by capturing and/or destroying leaders of their group along with their logistics network operating in the region.

Overview - High Resolution

The first of the tasking's is to locate the IDAP contact near Sufian and gather his intelligence on the spotted mortars and if their location is known the mortars should be destroyed before they become a threat. Secondary tasking is to clear the ZLF camp then locate and destroy the potential cache in the north east area of the green zone.

Intel gathered during OP 01 has uncovered the names of 3 high ranking members, a known one Khalid Ahmadi however, Sadiq and Hakim are current unknowns. Further intel gathered from SSE on locations occupied by ZLF could assist in discovering the identities, roles in or affiliation to ZLF. 

Markings