View source for Place:Tarinkot

{{Short description|City in Uruzgan, Afghanistan}}
{{Infobox settlement
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|official_name          =Tarinkot
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|native_name            = ترين کوت
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|subdivision_type1      = Province
|subdivision_name1      = Uruzgan
|subdivision_type2      = District
|subdivision_name2      = Tarinkot
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|population_total               = 71,604
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|population_urban               = 71,604  <ref name="auto">{{cite web|title=The State of Afghan Cities Report 2015 |url=http://unhabitat.org/books/soac2015/ |ref=UN-Habitat |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151031111515/http://unhabitat.org/books/soac2015/ |archive-date=2015-10-31 }}</ref>
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|coordinates            = {{coord|32|37|36|N|65|52|24|E|region:AF|display=inline,title}}
|elevation_footnotes    =  <!--for references: use <ref> </ref> tags-->
|elevation_m            =1317
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'''Tarīnkōṭ''' ({{lang-prs|ترين کوت}}), also spelled as '''Tarin Kowt''',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-07-29/brown---tarin-kowt-and-the-battle-for-minds/2816352|title=Tarin Kowt and the battle for minds|first=James|last=Brown|date=July 29, 2011|website=ABC News}}</ref> is the capital of Uruzgan Province in southern Afghanistan in the Tarinkot District. Tarinkot city has a population of 71,604 (2015),<ref name="auto"/> with some 200 small shops in the city's bazaar.

In Tarinkot district, two major Pashtun tribal confederations are represented, Tareen tribes: Popolzai, Barakzai, Nurzai, Achakzai; and the Ghilzai tribes: Tokhi, Hotak. There are no medium or large-scale economic enterprises in the city.

Tarinkot is a Provincial Centre in south central Afghanistan. The majority of land is classified as non built-up (69%) of which agriculture is 67%. Residential land accounts for 47% of built-up land.<ref name="auto1">{{cite web|title=The State of Afghan Cities Report 2015|url=http://unhabitat.org/books/soac2015_volume2/|access-date=20 October 2015|ref=UN-Habitat}}</ref> The airport is located within the municipal boundaries, accounting the second largest built-up land use (24%).<ref name="auto1"/>

On 13 August 2021, Tarinkot was captured by [[Religion:Taliban|Taliban]] fighters as part of the wider 2021 Taliban offensive.
<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=2021-08-13|title=Taliban sweep across Afghanistan's south, take 3 more cities|url=https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-taliban-c6c8d4a41c554f36031a8131538d1402|access-date=2021-08-13|website=AP NEWS|language=en|archive-date=13 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813105628/https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-taliban-c6c8d4a41c554f36031a8131538d1402|url-status=live}}</ref>

==History==
Historically, this locale remained a seat of some of the Tarin (or Tareen) Pashtun tribal sardars, as early as the 12th-13th centuries AD<ref>Dr SB Panni, ''Tareekh i Hazara'' Peshawar, 1969 ed, p. 301</ref> and some of them later migrated to the [[Place:South Asia|Indian subcontinent]] during or after the Mughal-Safavid War (1622-23).<ref>Including some settled near Pishin Baluchistan and some in the Hazara area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, see Panni</ref>

===Recent war===
This town in southern Afghanistan was of significant strategic value to the Taliban in 2001. On November 16, the citizens here rose up against their Taliban governor, which marked the first organized Pashtun resistance against the Taliban. Hamid Karzai, then an obscure statesman, was in the region at the time trying to build an insurgency/army while accompanied by an 11-man U.S. Special Forces team, known as Operational Detachment Alpha 574.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.time.com/time/asia/2003/journey/afghanistan.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110408191839/http://www.time.com/time/asia/2003/journey/afghanistan.html |archive-date=April 8, 2011 |title=Afghanistan: Home Free}}</ref> The Taliban launched a counterattack, confronting Karzai and his militia who dug in to defend the town. With the help of U.S. air power, the U.S. and militia force drove the Taliban back from Tarinkot.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.history.army.mil/brochures/Afghanistan/Operation%20Enduring%20Freedom.htm#p14a|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100201013730/http://www.history.army.mil/brochures/Afghanistan/Operation%20Enduring%20Freedom.htm|url-status=dead |title=The United States Army in Afghanistan - Operation ENDURING FREEDOM - October 2001-March 2003|archive-date=February 1, 2010}}</ref>

The defeat of the Taliban at Tarinkot was an important victory for Karzai, who used the victory to recruit more men to his fledgling guerrilla band. His force would grow in size to a peak of around 800 men. On November 30, they left Tarinkot and began advancing on Kandahar.

An American base called FOB Ripley, named after U.S. Marine John Ripley was built in Tarinkot in 2004.<ref name=MarineNews2004-05-10>
{{cite news
| url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2004/05/mil-040510-mcn01a.htm
| title=22d MEU (SOC)'s FOB in Afghanistan pays homage to Marine hero
| publisher=Marine Corps News
| date=2004-05-10
| author=Keith A. Milks
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040524134237/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2004/05/mil-040510-mcn01a.htm
| archive-date=2004-05-24
| url-status=live
| quote='He's a hero to the Marine Corps,' said Colonel Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr., commanding officer of the Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), referring to Col. John W. Ripley, the new FOB's namesake. 'He's a true warrior and an honorable man.' McKenzie puts Col. Ripley with the small group of Marine leaders mentioned prominently in the Corps' proud history.
}}</ref>
It was established by a Joint Task Force made up mainly of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (22ndMEU SOC), 2-5 Infantry (bobcats)/3rd BDE/ 25th Infantry Division, US Army Civil Affairs, and the Florida and Iowa National Guard Task Force 168 in May 2004.  In autumn 2001, the region was the last stronghold of [[Place:Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan|Taliban regime]].
Subsequently, other foreign military forces have operated at the base outside Tarinkot.

After the 22nd MEU SOC led Operation Mountain Storm, most of the Taliban forces moved to the mountainous region between Afghanistan and Pakistan. As NATO's ISAF mission assumed responsibility for security in Afghanistan's south, Dutch NATO troops built Kamp Holland (now Multi National Base Tarin Kot) in August 2006.

Beginning in March 2007, the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)<ref>[http://www.aed.usace.army.mil/ Afghanistan Engineer District] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070315033715/http://www.aed.usace.army.mil/ |date=2007-03-15 }}, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.</ref> began construction of a road from Tarinkot westward to Deh Rahwod and then to Shahidi Hassas District, in the western areas of Oruzgan province. At the same time, the USACE also started paving and bridge construction to improve the road to Kandahar.
[[File:U.S. Army 1st Lt. Patrick Gurski, foreground, with a security force assistance team (SFAT) with the 56th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Texas Army National Guard, watches Afghans pass during a logistics 130604-A-FS372-018.jpg|thumb|250px|U.S. Army soldier watching Afghans pass during a logistics inspection in Tarinkot.]]

On 4 July 2010, U.S. soldiers from 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment assumed responsibility over operations in Tarinkot and Deh Rahwod in the wake of the Dutch withdrawal from Oruzgan.

On 27 July 2011, a Pakistani suicide terrorist from the Waziristan region of Pakistan was captured by the Afghan National Army and ISAF forces during a raid on the house of Mullah Qasim in the Sur Marghab area near Tirinkot. The would-be bomber named Saifullah was interviewed by Pajhwok Afghan News reporter Ahmad Omaid Khpalwak. In the interview Saifullah said he and 14 other terrorists from Pakistan spent at least two months wandering around the city to select a proper time and place for an attack. "Many times we encountered foreigners, but Mullah Qasim would escape after seeing foreigners and finally we were arrested without carrying out any attack," he said.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2011/07/28/bombing-suspect-says-pakistani-mullahs-brainwashed-him|title=Bombing suspect says Pakistani mullahs brainwashed him|access-date=20 June 2016}}</ref>

The next day, at around 12 pm, 28 July, three suicide attackers blew up vehicles packed with explosives at the gates of government compounds while other suicide bombers equipped with heavy weapons entered the buildings and began killing everyone inside. After the shooting ended at least 19 people were killed and 37 others wounded. The dead included Pajhwok reporter Khpalwak, 10 children, 2 women and 1 member of the Afghan National Police.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2011/07/28/138777873/suicide-attacks-target-afghan-government-compound?ft=1&f=1004|title=Suicide Attacks Target Afghan Government Compound}}</ref> Khpalwak was shot 20 times in different parts of his body.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2011/07/28/khpalwaks-last-contact-pajhwok|title=Khpalwak's last contact with Pajhwok|access-date=20 June 2016}}</ref> By 29 July the number of dead were raised to 21. Major General Angus Campbell, commander of Australian troops deployed to the region, said "Hard-line elements of the insurgency continue to pursue their campaign through violence and attempted targeted killings. Yesterday they paid a heavy price for their ambitions with all insurgents killed while failing to achieve their mission."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/18-afghan-civilians-killed-roadside-bomb-army-072500373.html|title=18 civilians killed in Helmand bomb: Afghan police}}</ref> Afghan National Army spokesman Hekmatullah Kuchi said "There were two blasts at the deputy governor's office. One was detonated by a suicide bomber and the other was caused by an ANA (Afghan army) soldier shooting another suicide attacker."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nasdaq.com/news/|title=Today's Stock Market News and Analysis from Nasdaq.com|access-date=20 June 2016}}</ref>

On March 1, 2011, U.S. soldiers from 4th Battalion, 70th Armor Regiment assumed responsibility of Tarinkot and Deh Rawod. On November 23, 2011, U.S. soldiers from the 1st Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment<ref>14th Cavalry Regiment (United States), 14th Cavalry Regiment</ref> assumed responsibility over operations in Tarinkot.

In September 2016, the town was under threat by Taliban militants, who had occupied the highway linking it to [[Place:Kandahar|Kandahar]], whilst also launching an attack on Tarinkot itself.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Snow |first=Shawn |title=Afghanistan: Taliban Threaten Tarin Kot Again |url=https://thediplomat.com/2016/09/afghanistan-taliban-threaten-tarin-kot-again/ |access-date=2023-05-10 |website=thediplomat.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

It was captured by the Taliban on 13 August, 2021, following the withdrawal of international forces from the area.<ref name=":0" />

==Transportation==
As of May 2014 Tarinkot Airport had regularly scheduled direct passenger service to Kabul.

==Geography==
Tarinkot is somewhat isolated: its only airstrip is on the military base of the NATO-led ISAF Provincial Reconstruction Team on the outskirts of the town. Tarinkot's only ground access to the outside is a road to the regional center of [[Place:Kandahar|Kandahar]] to the south, which can be subject to Taliban attacks sometimes and washouts.

==Climate==
Tarinkot has a cold semi-arid climate ([[Earth:Köppen climate classification|Köppen climate classification]] ''BSk'') with hot summers and cool to cold winters. Precipitation is low, and mostly falls from December to March.

{{Weather box
|location = Tarinkot
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|Jan record high C = 18.3
|Feb record high C = 21.7
|Mar record high C = 29.5
|Apr record high C = 39.3
|May record high C = 38.5
|Jun record high C = 44.5
|Jul record high C = 43.0
|Aug record high C = 42.8
|Sep record high C = 37.9
|Oct record high C = 36.6
|Nov record high C = 28.4
|Dec record high C = 21.6
|Jan high C = 9.3
|Feb high C = 11.1
|Mar high C = 17.4
|Apr high C = 26.0
|May high C = 31.3
|Jun high C = 36.8
|Jul high C = 38.4
|Aug high C = 37.4
|Sep high C = 32.9
|Oct high C = 26.5
|Nov high C = 18.4
|Dec high C = 12.8
|Jan mean C = 3.3
|Feb mean C = 4.9
|Mar mean C = 10.8
|Apr mean C = 17.4
|May mean C = 22.4
|Jun mean C = 28.0
|Jul mean C = 29.7
|Aug mean C = 27.7
|Sep mean C = 22.8
|Oct mean C = 16.1
|Nov mean C = 9.0
|Dec mean C = 5.2
|Jan low C = -2.4
|Feb low C = -1.0
|Mar low C = 3.8
|Apr low C = 9.0
|May low C = 12.7
|Jun low C = 16.8
|Jul low C = 18.6
|Aug low C = 17.0
|Sep low C = 10.9
|Oct low C = 5.6
|Nov low C = 0.7
|Dec low C = -1.6
|Jan record low C = −20.0
|Feb record low C = -11.9
|Mar record low C = −7.9
|Apr record low C = 0.9
|May record low C = 4.0
|Jun record low C = 7.0
|Jul record low C = 9.0
|Aug record low C = 5.6
|Sep record low C = 0.5
|Oct record low C = -3.8
|Nov record low C = −11.1
|Dec record low C = −15.8
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm =  48.9
|Feb precipitation mm =  61.7
|Mar precipitation mm =  62.2
|Apr precipitation mm =  18.3
|May precipitation mm =  8.0
|Jun precipitation mm =  0.0
|Jul precipitation mm =  1.4
|Aug precipitation mm =  0.0
|Sep precipitation mm =  0.0
|Oct precipitation mm =  4.8
|Nov precipitation mm =  12.6
|Dec precipitation mm =  30.3
|Jan rain days = 7
|Feb rain days = 7
|Mar rain days = 9
|Apr rain days = 5
|May rain days = 2
|Jun rain days = 0
|Jul rain days = 0
|Aug rain days = 0
|Sep rain days = 0
|Oct rain days = 1
|Nov rain days = 2
|Dec rain days = 5
|Jan snow days = 2
|Feb snow days = 1
|Mar snow days = 0
|Apr snow days = 0
|May snow days = 0
|Jun snow days = 0
|Jul snow days = 0
|Aug snow days = 0
|Sep snow days = 0
|Oct snow days = 0
|Nov snow days = 0
|Dec snow days = 0
|Jan sun = 194.4
|Feb sun = 167.2
|Mar sun = 219.1
|Apr sun = 260.8
|May sun = 341.1
|Jun sun = 378.3
|Jul sun = 359.5
|Aug sun = 349.3
|Sep sun = 327.2
|Oct sun = 288.1
|Nov sun = 260.9
|Dec sun = 200.4
|Jan humidity = 60
|Feb humidity = 58
|Mar humidity = 53
|Apr humidity = 44
|May humidity = 35
|Jun humidity = 25
|Jul humidity = 26
|Aug humidity = 29
|Sep humidity = 28
|Oct humidity = 33
|Nov humidity = 40
|Dec humidity = 56
|source 1 = NOAA (1972-1982) <ref name= NOAA>{{cite web
  |url = ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/RA-II/AH/40977.TXT
  |title = Trinkot Climate Normals 1972-1982
  |publisher = [[Organization:National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
  |access-date = December 26, 2012}}</ref>
|date=September 2011
}}

==See also==
*List of cities in Afghanistan
*Orūzgān Province

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* (http://www.onlythingworthdyingfor.com)
* [http://www.defence.gov.au/opEx/global/opslipper/RTF.htm Australian Reconstruction Task Force 3]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081121065828/http://www.globalcollab.org/Nautilus/australia/bases/martello FOB Martello], Nautilus Institute for Security and Sustainability at RMIT University.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080107152929/http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/lfwa/feature_A_Coy.htm FOB Martello Construction], June, 2006, Canadian Army news.



[[Category:Provincial capitals in Afghanistan]]

{{Sourceattribution|Tarinkot}}