Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Afghanistan

NATO Takes Over Forces In Southern Afghanistan

A British ISAF soldier patrols Kabul in May (epa)

July 31, 2006 -- NATO has assumed command of military operations in southern Afghanistan.

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July 31, 2006

The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) took over from a U.S.-led antiterrorism coalition that was first deployed nearly five years ago to unseat the Taliban.

It will be the first time NATO has conducted land combat operations.

The force will be more than twice the size of the coalition presence in the south last year, boosting the number of ISAF troops across the country to about 18,000.

In a statement today, NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer warned that Afghanistan could again become a breeding ground for terrorists without greater international help.

NATO takes over with fighting on the rise, especially in the south. In the latest violence there, 30 suspected Taliban were killed over the last 48 hours.

(AP, AFP)

Helmand Province Governor Comments

U.S. Marines operating in Helmand Province in 2002 (epa)

RULING A RESTIVE LAND: On February 12, RFE/RL Radio Free Afghanistan correspondent Jawaid Wafa spoke briefly with Helmand Province Governor MOHAMMAD DAOUD about the ongoing violence in his restive region on the border with Pakistan.

RFE/RL: Recently, there have been many clashes and attacks by insurgents in Helmand Province. What in your view facilitates these attacks, especially in Helmand?

Mohammad Daoud: This province has a 160-kilometer border with Pakistan's Baluchistan Province. In reality, armed people, armed terrorists, from the other side of the border cross the border into Helmand. They carry out attacks and return back. It is a serious problem in Helmand that within our borders there is neither tribal good will, nor are there are special military or security measures to prevent enemies from crossing back and forth.

RFE/RL: The attacks and clashes have not only been between government forces and insurgents. There have been various clashes in different parts of Helmand between police and purported drug smugglers. How do you explain this?

Daoud: Drug smugglers also use the border for their own purposes. They have opened markets on the border and process opium there. This is a serious problem along our border. We are in touch with our authorities on this problem.

RFE/RL: There are government border police patrol your border. What is their role in preventing illegal crossings?

Daoud: Along this 160-kilometer border, there are car routes, walking routes. We have border police, but unfortunately, either because of their own problems or because of weak administration, they have not been able to stop the crossing.

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