Afghanistan Report 2009 - Isaf - Nato

Security
Effective governance and economic and social
development need time and space to take root. To this
end, NATO-ISAF’s primary role in Afghanistan is to
support the Afghan authorities in bringing peace and
security to the people.
The security picture in 2008 was mixed. Violence rose
sharply in parts of the South, South-East and South-
West as militants and criminals stepped up their efforts
to limit the reach of the Government. This led to a
significant increase in both civilian and security forces
casualties, as well as the militants themselves when
compared to 2007. Attacks against Afghan civilians
and the International Community using Improvised
Explosive Devices (IEDs) caused the greatest loss
of life, while insurgents increasingly targeted isolated
and vulnerable Afghan National Police (ANP) facilities,
resulting in a significant rise in police fatalities.
Furthermore, instability in Pakistan allowed insurgents
to use safe havens from which to mount attacks across
the porous border into Afghanistan.
Current Force Disposition
Current Force Disposition
However, the increased violence remained largely
concentrated in the same areas as 2007. Substantial
parts of the North, Centre and West of the country
continued to be relatively stable. Afghan National
Security Forces (ANSF), growing in strength and
capability, took the lead role in providing security in
Kabul Province, which showed a marked decrease in
violence despite some high profile attacks. ISAF force
levels also grew significantly in 2008. ISAF deployed
additional ground forces to the South and East of the
country to support the ANSF in exerting control over
areas where previously insurgents had influence.
Despite the continuing challenge of cross-border
incursions from Pakistan, improved relations between
the Afghan and the newly-elected Pakistani Government
was matched by improved military coordination along
the border between the two countries. Near the end
of the year, a coordinated security operation on both
sides of the border showed positive results against the
militants.
NATO
OTAN
X(-)
RC W
(HERAT)
RC WEST
X
TF HELMAND
X
III
X(-)
RC NORTH
TF ORUZGAN
II
TF ZABOL
TF KANDAHAR
III
RC N
(MAZARI SHARIF)
RC EAST
1
X
II
TF SPARTAN
TF Tigre
TF WHITE EAGLE
X
TF CURRAHEE
X
TF DUKE
XX
RC E
(BAGRAM)
XXXX
X
HQ ISAF/USFOR-A
RC C
(KABUL)
RC SOUTH
XX
RC S
(KANDAHAR)
= PRT
UNCLASS // REL USA ISAF NATO
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