Korangal Valley

The Afghan government is working to find ways to boost the economy of the region so that illegal timbering can come to an end.

The name of the valley, however, comes from the Southern Nuristani languages (such as Waigali, Ashkun, Tregami or Zemiaki) Korangalis also speak their own dialect.

Firebase Phoenix (later called Firebase Vimoto) was established in the village of Babeyal in the spring of 2007 by 2nd Platoon, A Company, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry, 10th Mountain Division to act as a security buffer between the villagers and active anti-coalition militia (ACM) fighters in the valley.

The strongly independent tribes of the Korangal Valley, who have opposed all forms of government other than a council of elders, viewed the U.S. troops as invaders.

[5][6][7] After years of sustained fighting and casualties, the U.S. military closed Korangal Outpost on April 14, 2010; the valley subsequently reverted to Taliban control.

[9] British photographer Tim Hetherington won the 2008 World Press Photo award with a shot he took while reporting on the war in Korangal Valley for Vanity Fair magazine in January 2008.