Afghanistan Cave Complexes 1979-2004: "Mountain strongholds of the Mujahideen, Taliban & Al Qaeda" (Fortress) (Paperback)

by Mir Bahmanyar (Author), Ian Palmer (Illustrator) "One of the major problems the Soviet Union faced during its invasion into Afghanistan was the difficulty in expelling Mujahideen from the cave and tunnel..." (more)
Key Phrases: maximum takeoff weight, tunnel complexes, coalition forces, Operation Enduring Freedom, Tora Bora, Zhawar Kili (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Following the Soviet invasion in 1979, the Mujahideen defenders of Afghanistan developed and reinforced many natural cave systems to use as supply bases and defensive positions. The Taliban and Al Qaeda further developed these positions throughout the 1990s. Following the events of September 11, 2001, these cave systems have once more come to prominence and sites such as Tora Bora ("Black Dust," a series of individual caves) and Zhawar Kili (a large complex in eastern Afghanistan) have featured in news headlines around the world. This title provides a detailed analysis and visual documentation of these caves and underground systems. It also discusses the Coalition's tactical approach to dislodging the enemy from these fortified positions.

About the Author
Mir Bahmanyar served in the US Army from 1986-89, and currently is an independent film producer and writer. He received a BA in history from the University of California, Berkeley, and specializes in US Army Ranger history. Along with fellow ex-servicemen he has set up www.suasponte.com, a site dedicated to the history of the Rangers. Mir lives in Los Angeles, California, with his Pitbull and Akita dogs.

Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing; illustrated edition edition (October 22, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 184176776X
• ISBN-13: 978-1841767765
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.1 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #60,859 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #26 in	Books > History > Asia > Central Asia
  #49 in	Books > History > Asia > Afghanistan
  #99 in	Books > History > Military > Strategy

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Claustrophobic Warfare - Hunting Taliban Vermin , December 19, 2004

By	Troy A. Lettieri "Professional Warrior" (NC, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book gives you one of the only printed looks into this highly dangerous form of warfare. Some of the underground "sanctuaries" covered are primitive caves (Natural and man-made), water irrigation systems/wells (Karez), hides, caches and on to highly complex underground dwellings like Zawhar Kili, located three miles from the Pakistan border, which are underground villages, complete with repair shops, public relations office, garage and hotel for visiting journalists. This book goes into detailed tactics employed by the U.S. military ground forces, much of it very remnant of what the Tunnel Rats used against the Viet Cong and looks back at what the Russians failed to do 25 years ago: flush out, hunt and kill the enemy. The book also goes into detail on many of the modern weapons being employed currently to reduce the Taliban and al Qaeda's hideouts to rubble. The book is highly illustrated with diagrams, maps and photos, although the photo quality at times are not that good and very grainy. This book is highly recommended for any Grunt heading over to Afghanistan for a crash course in tunnel warfare. Over all it many not be a great book but again there is no other title out their on the subject. Bottom line, this book will make any old NAM Tunnel Rat out their proud to see their heritage continue!

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Background info on current problems, January 16, 2005

By	FORT (Tampa) - See all my reviews

Contrary to another review posted here, this is an excellent work for describing the role and use of cave complexes in Afghanistan. The previous reviewer seems to feel that being critical of Rumsfeld's policy detracts from the content. The author is only presenting the situation as we know it today, including some of the misguided policies of the Sec of War. Although we may learn much more about what these cave complexes are like after the war, we will have a good view of what we thought and knew during the war when we look back at this book years from now. Some may be disappointed in how crude and unsophisticated these positions are after the media built them up before US troops went in.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice little book, March 8, 2005

By	reader (USA) - See all my reviews

This book gives a good deal of information on the history of Afghanistan and a very good bibliography. It also has an informative section on some of the weapons employed by our troops. There are plenty of photographs and nice 3-d paintings to make this boo invaluable to anyone interested in the current war in that country.