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International Security Assistance Force (10) ('''ISAF''') is the name of a NATO -led security and development mission in Afghanistan , which consists of about 35,500 personnel as of May 31 , 2007 . Thirty-seven different nations have contributed troops to this military force, including contributions from North America , Europe and Australia . Authorized by the ) on December 20 , 2001 , the ISAF Was Charged With Securing Kabul and the surrounding areas from the Taliban , Al Qaida and factional warlords, so as to allow for the establishment of the Afghan Transitional Administration headed by Hamid Karzai . Official Documents System of the United Nations Throughout the years, ISAF expanded the mission in four main stages over the whole of Afghanistan. Since 2006, ISAF has been involved in more intensive combat operations in southern Afghanistan, a tendency which continues in 2007. And attacks on ISAF in other parts of Afghanistan are also mounting. JURISDICTION , patrolling an area around Kabul .]] For almost two years, the ISAF mandate did not go beyond the boundaries of Kabul. According to General Norbert Van Heyst , such a deployment would require at least an extra ten thousand soldiers. The responsibility for security throughout the whole of Afghanistan was to be given to the newly-constituted Afghan National Army . However, on October 13 , 2003 , the Security Council voted unanimously to expand the ISAF mission beyond Kabul (Resolution 1510). Shortly thereafter, Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien said that Canadian soldiers (nearly half of the entire force at that time) would not deploy outside Kabul. On October 24 , 2003 , the German Bundestag voted to send German troops to the region of Kunduz . Around 230 additional soldiers were deployed to that region, marking the first time that ISAF soldiers operated outside of Kabul. After the Afghan National Assembly and Provincial Council elections in the fall of 2005, the Canadian base Camp Julien at Kabul closed, and remaining Canadian assets have moved to Kandahar as part of Operation Enduring Freedom in preparation for a significant deployment in January 2006. At July 31 , 2006 , the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force assumed command of the south of the country, ISAF Stage 3, and by October 5 also of the east of Afghanistan, ISAF stage 4. ISAF is mandated by the United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs) 1386, 1413, 1444, 1510, 1563, 1623, 1659 and 1707. The last of these extended the mandate of ISAF to 13 October 2007 . But the mandates the different governments are giving to their forces can differ from country to country. STRUCTURE The initial ISAF headquarters was based on 3rd UK Mechanised Division , which was led at the time by Major General John McCall. Until ISAF expanded beyond Kabul, the Force consisted of a roughly division-level headquarters and one brigade covering this capital, the Kabul Multinational Brigade. The brigade was composed of three battle groups, and was in charge of the tactical command of deployed troops. ISAF headquarters serves as the operational control center of the mission. As the area of responsibility was increased, ISAF also took command of an increasing number of Provincial Reconstruction Team s (PRTs), with the aim of improving security and to facilitate reconstruction outside the capital. The first nine PRTs (and lead nations) were based at Baghlan (Netherlands, then Hungary at October 2006), Chaghcharan (Lithuania), Farah (U.S.), Fayzabad (Germany), Herat (Italy), Kunduz (Germany), Mazari Sharif (UK, then Denmark/Sweden), Maymana (UK, then Norway), Qala-e Naw (Spain). Throughout the four different regional stages of ISAF the number of teams began growing. The expansion of ISAF, during October 2006, to all provinces of the country brought the total number of teams to twenty-four (24). The teams are led by different members of the NATO-ISAF mission. Another new PRT at Wardak was installed in November 2006, which is led by Turkey. This brought the number to 25. The overall NATO-ISAF mission is led by the Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum, at Brunssum, the Netherlands. NATO OTAN Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum - (ISAF) The main HQ at Afghanistan is located in the capital city of Kabul. There are five (5) Regional Command Centers, underneath them are the Provincial Reconstruction Teams: at Kabul Airport.]] , in northern Afghanistan.]]
The strength of the ISAF forces as of May 31, 2007. ISAF source stored on www.archive.org International Security Assistance Force The numbers also reflect the situation in the country. The north and west are relatively calm, while ISAF and Afghan forces in the south and east are almost under daily attack. See also: '' Provincial Reconstruction Team '' and Afghanistan War Order Of Battle SECURITY AND RECONSTRUCTION Since 2006 the insurgency of the Taliban has been intensifying, especially in the south of the country, where the Taliban rose to power in the early nineties. Since NATO-ISAF took over command of the south on July 31 , 2006 , British and Canadian ISAF soldiers in the provinces of Helmand and Kandahar have come under almost daily attack. British commanders say the fighting for them is the fiercest since the Korean War, fifty years ago. BBC reporter Alistair Leithead , embedded with the British forces, called it at an article "''Deployed to Afghanistan's hell''" BBC report Deployed to Afghanistan's 'Hell'. Because of the security situation in the south, NATO-ISAF commanders have asked member countries to send more troops. On October 19 , for example, the Dutch government decided to send more troops, because of the many attacks by suspected Taliban on their Task Force Uruzgan , which makes it very difficult to complete the reconstruction work they came to accomplish. ISAF AND THE ILLEGAL OPIUM ECONOMY ISAF's mandate does not include a pro-active role in fighting the illegal opium economy in Afghanistan. It plays an indirect role in sharing intelligence with the Afghan government, protecting Afghan poppy crop eradication units and helping coordinate and implement the country's counter narcotics policy. Dutch ISAF forces have, for example, used military force to protect eradication units that came under attack. The indirect role ISAF plays in helping the Afghan counter narcotic forces is problematic for NATO. Crop eradication often targets the poorest farmers who have no economic alternatives to fall back on. Without alternatives, these farmers can no longer feed their families, causing anger, frustration and social protest. Thus, being associated with counter productive drug policy, the ISAF soldiers on the ground find it hard to win the hearts and minds of the local population. A Washington Quarterly article written by Peter van Ham and Jorrit Kamminga explains the dynamics that are at play. The Washington Quarterly Poppies for Peace: Reforming Afganistans Opium Industry. COMMAND Overall Command ISAF command rotated among different nations on a 6-month basis. However there was tremendous difficulty securing new lead nations. To solve the problem, command was turned over indefinitely to NATO on August 11 , 2003 . This marked NATO's first deployment outside Europe or North America . That day, Nicholas Burns , the U.S. ambassador to NATO wrote in the Wall Street Journal that the mandate of ISAF should be expanded beyond the capital Kabul. One option he suggested would be for NATO to participate in U.S.-led " Provincial Reconstruction Team s" which were already active in trying to enforce security outside Kabul. As of April 2007 , 25 Provincial Reconstruction Team s are active in the country and under the command of different NATO nations. The history of ISAF command is as follows:
Regional Command South The command of the region is rotating among Canada, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom
CONTRIBUTING NATIONS All of NATO members are contributing troops to the ISAF, as well as some other partner states of NATO. The numbers are based in part from the NATO ; when more recent numbers are available they are given. ISAF is also being backed by 28,600 troops of the Afghan National Army and 30,200 Afghan policemen, who are described by the British Ministry of Defence as "fully equipped and trained". NATO nations
:See main article '' Canada's Role In The Invasion Of Afghanistan ''.
:The Czech 102nd Reconnaissance Battalion have been part of a Provincial Reconstruction Team at Fayzabad , Badakhshan province, since 9 March 2005 . Their task is to support security in the area, to protect international units, and to cooperate with local people in reconstruction of their homeland. Czech scouts are assigned to the team of about 200 soldiers together with Danes and soldiers of the German Bundeswehr . The number of Czech military personnel on this operation is 83 (to 1 June 2006 ). [http://www.army.cz/scripts/detail.php?id=6586 NATO Operation in Afghanistan] Ministry of Defence - Czech Republic :The number of troops is expected to rise to 150 by the end of the year when the Czechs take command of Kabul's airport. At the end of September 2006, the Czech Republic's defence ministry said, it plans to contribute up to 190 troops to the force next year. The move still must be approved by the government and parliament. Canadian soldier dies in Afghan blast Afghan News Network - 30 September 2006 At the start of the Czech contribution 17.
in Afghanistan.]]
:A support airbase is operated in Uzbekistan for supply and staging purposes. Additionally, in April 2007, six Panavia Tornado reconnaissance jets, with additional personnel, were deployed to Mazari Sharif in support of ISAF combat operations in the entiry country. GAF Recce Tornados to Afghanistan Luftwaffe (German airforce) :The mandate, given by the German Parliament , does not allow the Bundeswehr to take part in the battle against the Taliban Insurgency in the south and east of Afghanistan other than in exceptional circumstances. 21 German soldiers have been killed so far: Eleven in Ambushes and Attacks, two in an hostile incident still part of parliamentary investigations, and eight in accidents. 52 soldiers of the German contingent have suffered injuries as a result of hostile actions.
:The mandate, given by the Italian Parliament , does not allow the troops to take part in the battle against the Taliban Insurgency in the south and east of Afghanistan other than in exceptional circumstances.
Pzh-2000 firing on Taliban in Chura. June 16, 2007.]]
:The Air Task Force consists of a AH-64 Apache detachment (6 helicopters) in Tarin Kowt and a Chinook and F-16 detachment (6 jets) at Kandahar Airfield . The staff for Regional Command South is also located in Kandahar . An unknown number of Dutch SOF operate in southern Afghanistan as well. The Netherlands has lost 10 soldiers in Afghanistan; 2 in a helicopter crash, 1 in an F-16 crash and 1 soldier committed suicide (all in 2006). In 2007 a sergeant died in a Patria armored vehicle accident and on April 20th, a corporal was killed by an explosion in the Helmand province during Operation Achilles . In 2006, the Dutch PzH 2000 Howitzer made its combat debut as artillery Fire Support www.kmweg.com . In June 2007, a Dutch soldier was killed by a suicide bomber, which also wounded two more soldiers; Afghan casualties included five dead children. Suicide bomb kills Afghan children, Dutch soldier REUTERS - Jun 15, 2007
:One Norwegian soldier was killed and another lightly wounded in a Rocket Propelled Grenade attack on a convoy of four Norwegian Mercedes Geländewagen MB-290s 23 May 2004 while returning from a mission in the capital Kabul . Several others were wounded in hostile and non-hostile acts spanning 2001-2007 (ISAF and OEF ). Four Royal Norwegian Air Force F-16s operate from Kabul airport alongside Dutch F-16s in support of NATO ISAF forces in southern Afghanistan, 2006. The detachment is known as the 1st Netherlands-Norwegian European Participating Forces Expeditionary Air Wing (1 NLD/NOR EEAW) . On 23 July, 2007 Norwegian Special Forces lieutenant Tor Arne Lau-Henriksen was killed in a close quarters engagement between a Norwegian special forces reconnaissance patrol and hostile fighters in Lowgar Province . aftenposten (Nowegian) aftenposten (Nowegian)
:One elite infantry company from the Portuguese army Rapid Reaction Brigade , a 7-man TACP from the Portuguese Air Force and a platoon size regular army logistic support unit, rotates every 6 months. :August 2005 to February 2006: 2nd Commando Company. :February 2006 to August 2006: 1st Commando Company. :August 2006 to February 2007: 1st Paratrooper Company. :February 2007 to August 2007: 2nd Commando Company. :August 2007 to February 2008: 2nd Paratrooper Company. :One commando was killed when his Humvee was struck by an IED during a patrol in the first tour of the 2nd Commando company. : The 1st Paratrooper Company was sent to Kandahar to reinforce the Kandahar Airfield security. :The 2nd Commando Company , in their second tour, were in charge of Search And Destroy operations, together with other forces, in the Kandahar Province as of May 2007 in Operation Hoover . :Past deployments. :The Portuguese Air Force had one C-130H in Afghanistan from July 2004 until July 2005. :Portugal was responsible for the Kabul International Airport from August 2005 until December 2005, the group was made of 37 military personnel, 33 from the Air Force, 3 from the Army and one from the Navy .
:Four Romanians have been killed while operating with ISAF: One in a firefight which later claimed the life of another badly wounded soldier, one in a landmine explosion, and one in a roadside bombing which severely damaged a Romanian tank. Romania planned to send a battalion in October 2006.
:The UK was one of the first countries to join the US-led coalition into Afghanistan. As of August 2007, the number of UK troops killed in Afghanistan since 2001 was 73. (Including 22 in accidents, from illness, or by non-combat injuries.) British military fatalities in Afghanistan BBC - 5 September 2007 :The RAF has numerous planes and helicopters positioned in the country, including C130 cargo planes, CH-47 heavy lift helicopters, Nimrod surveillance planes as well as a squadron of Harrier GR9 attack planes. The army air corps also provides a number of Westland Lynx and WAH-64 Apache helicopters. :They are officially there to help train Afghan security forces, facilitate reconstruction, and provide security. But over 2006, the situation in the north of Helmand turned increasingly violent, with British troops involved in fierce firefights against the Taliban and anti-coalition militia. :British troops have been involved in heavy clashes in the towns of Sangin , Musa Qala , Kajaki and Nawzad . :The article ''Q&A: UK troops in Afghanistan'' (BBC News) gives also a list of the British units which are taking part in the ISAF mission. Q&A: UK troops in Afghanistan BBC - 26 February 2007. According to this article, ISAF is also being backed by 28,600 troops of the Afghan National Army and 30,200 Afghan policemen, who are described by the British Ministry of Defence as "fully equipped and trained".
:8,000 more troops remain under US command to train the Afghan National Army and to hunt Taliban leaders and Al-Qaida members. Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) nations
Non-NATO / Non-EAPC nations
At April 2007, Australia had some 550 soldiers in Afghanistan. Prime Minister John Howard said Australia plans to double its troop numbers. The total Australian deployment in Afghanistan will reach approximately 950 by mid-2007. Australia to double Afghan force BBC - 10 April 2007
Coalition casualties in Afghanistan See Also: Coalition casualties in Afghanistan Civilian casualties in Afghanistan See Also: Civilian casualties of the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan TIMELINE
ISAF Stage 2
ISAF Stage 3
The expansion will see the NATO-ISAF controlling 32,000 troops from 37 countries, although the alliance is already struggling to find extra troops to hold off a spiralling Taliban-led insurgency in the volatile south. ISAF Stage 4
It focuses on improving security in areas where Taliban extremists, narco-traffickers and other elements are trying to de-stabilize the Government of Afghanistan and to intend to empower village elders. The overarching purpose is to assist the government to improve its ability to begin reconstruction and economic development in the area. Strategically, the goal is also to enable the government to begin the Kajaki hydro-energy project. ISAF and Afghan Forces launch major operation in the South NATO Press release - 6 March, 2007 Nato in major anti-Taleban drive BBC - 6 March 2007 FURTHER READING
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