DOCSLIB.ORG

Moshtarak Pageplus Layout V2

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Moshtarak Pageplus Layout V2 AVIATION ASSAULT Afghanistan At 4:00 am in the morning on 13 February 2010 the dark skies of central Helmand were filled with the noise of thudding rotor blades as 45 helicopters carrying Combined Force 31, spearheaded by the 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh partnered with troops from the Afghan National Army landed in the heart of an area the Taliban regarded as their own. OPERATION MOSHTARAK had begun to take back control of this territory. Given unprecedented access to those in command and those who took part on the ground, Mark Khan takes a look at how this Operation, was planned and executed and provides a fascinating insight into how operations are conducted in Afghanistan. Aviation Assault - © Mark Khan 2015 As a result of the US presidential elections To allow larger operations to be conduct- The British contribution to the oper- In January 2009, the new US President ed under much more favourable condi- ation would be performed by 11 Barack Obama fulfilled his commitment, tions, preparatory work would be Light Brigade commanded by Briga- to significantly increase troop densities in carried out to “shape” the environment. dier James Cowan and would focus Afghanistan. This combined with the When conditions were then suitable, the on the central Helmand area. Two appointment of Lt Gen Stanley “clear” phase would take place with signif- specific insurgent strongholds were McChrystal, as the head of the icant military operations to push the in- chosen for the assault. international Security Assistance Force surgenOnce this phase had been These were known as “The Cha e (ISAF) in Afghanistan, led to a significant completed, the “hold” phase would take Angir Triangle” (a triangular area of change in strategy. Due to a lack of place to provide ongoing security, to land located in Northern Nad e Ali resources, the situation in Afghanistan in prevent insurgent re-infiltration, govern- district) and an area called “The the summer of 2009 existed, where ment authority to be put in place and Babaji Pear” (a pear shaped area of certain areas of Central Helmand, reconstruction (BUILD) to commence. land in the South Western part o consisted of some un-governed spaces The focus for the impending operations Babaji district). and some virtual “no go” areas. In these in Helmand Province, were to be the The plan was carefully worked out areas the Insurgents were exploiting the district of Marjah in the south, and parts in partnership with the Afghan local population for their own purposes of the districts of Nad e Ali and Babaji in government. For counter and using the territory for the purpose of central Helmand. The Operation would insurgency operations to succeed, furthering the insurgency. Led by General be called MOSHTARAK meaning “togeth- the will of the local people had to Mchrystal with his significant special er” in both Dari & Pashtun languages. It be carefully considered. A strategic forces and counter insurgency experience would be an operation conducted very emphasis was placed on how the and with the extra resources now availa- much in partnership with the Afghans situation should look on the ground ble, a strategy of SHAPE, CLEAR,HOLD & and would include significant resources after the operation had been BUILD was developed, to allow these from the Afghan army and security forc- concluded. This focused very much areas to be cleared of insurgents. Out es, on holding the territory after it was taking place. partnering with ISAF forces. taken from the insurgents and then The focus for the American forces taking allowing reconstruction to take part would be in Marjah. place and normal life to return to these areas. Main Picture: 1st BATTALION, ROYAL WELSH - OPERATION MOSHTARAK - Commissioned by 1st Battalion, The Royal Welsh and painted by Stuart Brown. This atmospheric painting captures the dramatic moment as the troops of Combined Force 31 land on one of the 12 Landing grounds on 13 Feb 2010. For more information, or to order a print of this painting, please visit Stuart’s Website : WWW.SKIPPERPRESS.COM or call: +44 (0)23 8032 2705 To enable this, dialogue with local Elders under much more favourable No 1 Company of the 1st Battalion The and with the local population was carried conditions, a series of shaping Coldstream Guards, were one of the out to prepare them for what was going operations were planned as precursors units involved in the shaping opera- to happen. A proper Afghan government to the main operation. tions. The village of WALIZI was a administration was to be put in, schools These were designed to test, put dense group of compounds to the would be delivered, the Health System pressure and confuse the insurgents west of the Babaji Pear. No 1 Compa- improved, there would be benefits to ag- prior to the execution of the main op- ny’s task was to secure this riculture, roads would be improved and eration. The perceptions of the local village. Company Commander, Major the population would be free to conduct people also needed to be set. A clear Toby Till describes how these their normal lives, no longer oppressed message was sent to both the local operations were conducted: “Three by the will of the insurgents. inhabitants and also to the insurgents – main Company operations were Whilst the operation had a clear vision in “We are coming in force and we are conducted prior to D Day on 13 Feb relation to the picture after the territory going to stay”. This was part of a 2010.The first was our first outing had been re-taken, clearly a significant deliberate plan to destabilise and con- with our new ANA company and was military operation was required to take fuse the insurgents. An operation as an operation to dominate the ground the ground in the first place. large as this was going to be, could not to the west of WALIZI and disrupt To set the scene and to allow the clear be conducted with complete surprise phase of the operation to be conducted and the message needed to be put across that it was not going to be just another operation, this was going to be very different. Main Picture: Feeling the downdraft from another helicopter taking off, soldiers from the 1st Battalion the Royal Welsh wait for embarkation at the start of Operation Moshtarak. The heavy loads the troops required to carry on the initial insertion can be seen here. One of those who took part in the Operation - Lance Corporal Paul Balzaretti , describes the challenge of carrying so much kit “As soon as you get out there, you are up off the chopper and even to stand up is hard because of the weight... no matter how much train- ing you have the weight is unbelievable”.(Courtesy of the MOD) insurgent activity whilst understanding In Nad e Ali, Lt Colonel Roly Walker, units and stabilising the areas secured. the terrain and people better. This took the Commanding Officer of the 1st Bat- This was a significant operation (OPER- place in late Jan. This was a foot infiltra- talion Grenadier Guards battle group, ATION TOR SHPA’H) lasting 4 weeks. tion with up to 80 soldiers and a mix of operating to the south of the Cha-e With the shaping operations completed, ANA and 1 Coy. We moved early and Angir Triangle, recognised that the the scene was now set for the major caught the insurgents off balance and assault into here, when OPERATION operation. Major General Nick Carter, were able to dominate some decent MOSHTARAK took place would lead to the Commander of compounds prior to the insurgents get- an inevitable displacement of insur- Regional Command South and the ting organised. When they did contact gents into his area of operations. “They officer in overall charge of the us with small arms we were able to use would come south into our area and co-alition operation, describes the snipers to get 4 confirmed kills. The op- therefore there would be an even great- position, “come the second week in eration started at approx 0400 ended at er concentration of insurgents right on February we were ready, with the 2300. The second Operation in late the edge of the District Centre. What I people briefed, and all of the orders at January, was a discrete recce/Sniper needed to do was some preliminary my level were given in Pashtun and operation, infiltrating a small team into operations, in order to clear that sali- Dari, no orders or instructions given at an insurgent area west of WALIZI village ent. I was absolutely sure I wasn’t go- all in English it was very much an to observe and report on ing to leave the back door open for Afghan-led event”. insurgent activity over 24hrs. We them to come in”. A series of plans A significant amount of preparation also built a small Check Point to the were put in place for a deliberate and analysis had been done to East of the village in an area of battlegroup level clearance operation, understand not only the defences with- previous IED laying on the Babaji Rd. to displace the insurgents out northern in the areas being assaulted, but also The ANA occupied this CP. This was of Nad e Ali, push them into the Cha-e how the insurgents traditionally fought. very popular with the locals” Angir Triangle and to establish a clear It was clear that a very linear advance defence line. The Grenadier Guards to contact approach suited the tactics Battlegroup reinforced with a number of the insurgents and this was the way of units including Afghan Army units, they had prepared their defences.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Civilian Casualty Mitigation
    FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Civilian Casualty Mitigation Summary of Lessons, Observations and Tactics, Techniques and Procedures from Marine Expeditionary Brigade – Afghanistan (MEB-A) January – April 2010 Quick Look Report 29 July 2010 This Marine Corps Center for Lessons Learned (MCCLL) report provides an "initial impressions" summary identifying key observations or potential lessons from the collection effort. These observations are not service level opinions. Observations highlight potential shortfalls, risks or issues experienced by units that may suggest a need for institutional change or corrective action. The report is provided to DOTMLPF stakeholders and those who contribute to the Marine Corps fulfilling its statutory requirements. This unclassified document has been reviewed in accordance with guidance contained in United States Central Command Security Classification Regulation 380- 14 dated 13 January 2009. This document contains information EXEMPT FROM MANDATORY DISCLOSURE under the FOIA. DOD Regulation 5400.7R, Exemption 5 applies. - C. H. Sonntag, Director MCCLL. mccll/aal/v7_0 FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Executive Summary (U/FOUO) Purpose: To inform Deputy Commandants (DCs) Combat Development and Integration (CD&I), Plans, Programs, and Operations (PP&O), Commanding General (CG), Training and Education Command (TECOM), Director of Intelligence, operating forces and others on results of a January - April 2010 collection relating to mitigation of civilian casualties (CIVCAS). (U//FOUO) Background. Civilian casualties resulted from U.S. close air support in Farah, Afghanistan on 4 May 2009. In order to help prevent future instances of civilian casualties and mitigate their effects, U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) requested that U.S. Joint Forces Command’s (USJFCOM) Joint Center for Operational Analysis (JCOA) capture lessons learned, and analyze incidents that led to coalition-caused civilian casualties during counterinsurgency (COIN) operations in Afghanistan.
    [Show full text]
  • AFGHAN OPTIONS Paul Rogers
    Oxford Research Group | June 2010 International Security Monthly Briefing – June 2010 AFGHAN OPTIONS Paul Rogers Introduction Barely a month after the UK election, the incoming Prime Minister, David Cameron, visited British troops stationed in Helmand Province in Afghanistan. Four aspects of the visit were indicative of the situation facing British and other NATO forces there. One was that Cameron was able to offer vigorous support for the British troops, knowing that this would be popular within the UK. While the war may be controversial across large swathes of the population, public support for the troops, as distinct from the war, remains high. This was the positive element but the other aspects were most certainly not. In the week before he was there, 26 NATO soldiers were killed and scores injured in a series of attacks. Even Mr Cameron’s visit was affected by the levels of violence as his planned visit to a forward operating base was cancelled after his helicopter was already airborne following receipt of intelligence that the base would be subject to a Taliban attack. This incident supported the view that paramilitaries have extensive intelligence of forthcoming coalition operations. It followed a rocket attack on a major Jirga meeting in Afghanistan a week earlier, which was undertaken in spite of around 12,000 security forces being assembled to guard the Jirga. The final aspect was that Mr Cameron announced that the British Army planned to double the numbers of specialist bomb disposal personnel to be deployed in Afghanistan. This was in response to sustained loss of life and serious injuries to UK troops caused by improvised explosive devices, especially in their main areas of operation in the northern part of Helmand Province.
    [Show full text]
  • Op Moshtarak Medical Observations and Lessons
    Focus On….Managing Health Services Support to Military Operations. Medical Lessons from OPERATION MOSHTARAK Phase 2 Authors: MCM Bricknell DM MA MMedSci MBA FFPH FIHM MFOM MRCGP (1) Affiliations: (1) Medical Director, Headquarters Region Command (South), Operation HERRICK, BFPO 772, (2) , (3) Corresponding Author: Colonel Martin CM Bricknell L/RAMC, Medical Director, Headquarters Region Command (South), Operation HERRICK, BFPO 772 Email: [email protected] 1 Abstract This is the tenth monograph that examine some of the issues associated with managing medical support to military operations. It is a narrative description of the planning and execution of the medical support plan for OP MOSHTARAK, the Combined Team security operation in NAD ALI district of central HELMAND in Feb/Mar 2010. The aim is to describe the key events that influenced the development of the medical plan and how these unfolded during the operation in order to identify observations and lessons learned to improve processes for managing medical support to future operations. The paper consolidates all of the theoretical discussions in the previous 9 papers. 2 Introduction This is the tenth monograph that examine some of the issues associated with managing medical support to military operations. It is a narrative description of the planning and execution of the medical support plan for OP MOSHTARAK, the Combined Team security operation in NAD ALI district of central HELMAND in Feb/Mar 2010. The aim is to describe the key events that influenced the development of the medical plan and how these unfolded during the operation in order to identify observations and lessons learned to improve processes for managing medical support to future operations.
    [Show full text]
  • Afghanistan: Post-Taliban Governance, Security, and U.S
    Afghanistan: Post-Taliban Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy Kenneth Katzman Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs March 1, 2010 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov RL30588 CRS Report for Congress Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress Afghanistan: Post-Taliban Governance, Security, and U.S. Policy Summary During 2009, the Obama Administration addressed a deteriorating security environment in Afghanistan. Despite an increase in U.S. forces there during 2006-2008, insurgents were expanding their area and intensity of operations, resulting in higher levels of overall violence. There was substantial Afghan and international disillusionment with corruption in the government of Afghan President Hamid Karzai, and militants enjoyed a safe haven in parts of Pakistan. Building on assessments completed in the latter days of the Bush Administration, the Obama Administration conducted two “strategy reviews,” the results of which were announced on March 27, 2009, and on December 1, 2009, respectively. Each review included a decision to add combat troops, with the intent of creating the conditions to expand Afghan governance and economic development, rather than on hunting and defeating insurgents in successive operations. The new strategy has been propounded by Gen. Stanley McChrystal, who was appointed top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan in May 2009. In his August 30, 2009, initial assessment of the situation, Gen. McChrystal recommended a fully resourced, comprehensive counter-insurgency strategy that could require about 40,000 additional forces (beyond 21,000 additional U.S. forces authorized in February 2009). On December 1, 2009, following the second high level policy review, President Obama announced the following: • The provision of 30,000 additional U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • By Dennis Steele Senior Staff Writer Ar Institute for the Study of W Ar Institute for the Study of W
    By Dennis Steele Senior Staff Writer ar Institute for the Study of W ar Institute for the Study of W 52 ARMY I April 2010 Residents attend an official flag-raising PERATIONS IN AFGHANISTAN’S HELMAND PROVINCE WERE THE GAMBIT IN A CAMPAIGN ceremony in the town of Marja, Afghan- to wrest control of key population and support centers from the Tal- istan, signifying that the Taliban has been supplanted. Afghan soldiers iban that will continue for a year or longer, using the combat power along with NATO International Security of additional U.S. forces to beef up NATO’s International Security Assistance Force task forces from the Assistance Force (ISAF). U.S. Marine Corps, the Army’s 5th In the largest operation since the start of Operation Enduring Stryker Brigade Combat Team and the Freedom in 2001, about 11,000 American, British, Canadian and Afghan troops British army cleared a large area of (more than 15,000 including support forces) swept into a strategic portion of Helmand Province. Helmand Province in southern Afghanistan, with the main effort centering on the farming enclave of Marja, cited as an important Taliban power center, logis- tics point and link in the group’s southern infiltration route. Called Operation Moshtarak (Dari for “together”), the offensive was com- manded by British Maj. Gen. Nick Carter, commander of ISAF’s Regional Com- mand-South, and led by U.S. Marine Corps and Afghan army units. The con- ventional operation began February 12 and lasted two weeks until Marja was declared clear and the Afghan national flag was raised.
    [Show full text]
  • Conflict in Afghanistan II
    Conflict in Afghanistan II 93 Number 881 March 2011 Volume Volume 93 Number 881 March 2011 Volume 93 Number 881 March 2011 Part 2: Law and humanitarian action Interview with Ms Fatima Gailani President of the Afghan Red Crescent Society Has the armed conflict in Afghanistan affected the rules on the conduct of hostilities? Robin Geiss and Michael Siegrist International law and armed non-state actors in Afghanistan Annyssa Bellal, Gilles Giacca and Stuart Casey-Maslen The Layha for the Mujahideen: an analysis of the code of conduct for the Taliban fighters under Islamic law Muhammad Munir Annex: The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. The Layha [Code of Conduct] For Mujahids Combatants, not bandits: the status of rebels in Islamic law Sadia Tabassum Between a rock and a hard place: integration or independence of humanitarian action? Antonio Donini The International Committee of the Red Cross in Afghanistan: Conflict II in Afghanistan reasserting the neutrality of humanitarian action Fiona Terry The protective scope of Common Article 3: more than meets the eye Jelena Pejic Humanitarian debate: Law, policy, action www.icrc.org/eng/review Conflict in Cambridge Journals Online For further information about this journal please go to the journal web site at: ISSN 1816-3831 http://www.journals.cambridge.org/irc Afghanistan II Editorial Team Editor-in-Chief: Vincent Bernard The Review is printed in English and is Editorial assistant: Michael Siegrist published four times a year, in March, Publication assistant: June, September and December. Claire Franc Abbas Annual selections of articles are also International Review of the Red Cross published on a regional level in Arabic, Aim and scope 19, Avenue de la Paix Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish.
    [Show full text]
  • Operation Moshtarak
    NEWS RELEASE ISAF Joint Command – Afghanistan 2010-02-CA-059 For Immediate Release Operation Moshtarak KABUL, Afghanistan (Feb. 13) The operation Operation Moshtarak is an Afghan-led initiative to assert government authority in the centre of Helmand province. Afghan and ISAF partners are engaging in this counter- insurgency operation at the request of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Helmand provincial government. Moshtarak is a Dari word for "together". The security forces that make up the combined force are serving side-by-side, representing partnership in strength. Insurgents who do not accept the government’s offer to reintegrate and join the political process will be met with overwhelming force. However, the strongest of measures will be taken to protect the civilian population. Military operations in central Helmand will be followed by the swift establishment of an Afghan government presence in cleared areas. This will be supported by stabilization activity led by the Helmand Provincial Reconstruction Team. The participants A combined force of 15,000 is involved in Operation Moshtarak. This combined force includes: Approximately five brigades of Afghan forces, including members of the Afghan National Army, Afghan National Police, Afghan Border Police and Afghan Gendarmerie (formerly Afghan National Civil Order Police). ISAF Regional Command (South) elements, with forces drawn from the United States, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Estonia and Canada. These elements include: 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines (US)
    [Show full text]
  • Helmand: the U.S
    The University of Southern Mississippi The Aquila Digital Community Master's Theses Spring 2020 Helmand: The U.S. Marines and Counterinsurgency in Afghanistan, 2010-2012 Taylor L. Lewis Follow this and additional works at: https://aquila.usm.edu/masters_theses Part of the Military History Commons, and the United States History Commons Recommended Citation Lewis, Taylor L., "Helmand: The U.S. Marines and Counterinsurgency in Afghanistan, 2010-2012" (2020). Master's Theses. 736. https://aquila.usm.edu/masters_theses/736 This Masters Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by The Aquila Digital Community. It has been accepted for inclusion in Master's Theses by an authorized administrator of The Aquila Digital Community. For more information, please contact [email protected]. HELMAND: THE U.S. MARINES AND COUNTERINSURGENCY IN AFGHANISTAN, 2010-2012 by Taylor L. Lewis A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate School, the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Humanities at The University of Southern Mississippi in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts Approved by: Dr. Andrew Wiest, Committee Chair Dr. Heather Stur, Committee Member Dr. Brian LaPierre, Committee Member ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ Dr. Andrew Wiest Dr. Matthew Casey Dr. Karen S. Coats Committee Chair Director of School Dean of the Graduate School May 2020 COPYRIGHT BY Taylor L. Lewis 2020 Published by the Graduate School ABSTRACT In the years following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, American troops contended with insurgent forces resistant to conventional tactics. General David Petraeus, along with other military experts, addressed the need for new strategies with the publication of Warfighting Publication 3-33.5 (3-33.5) in 2006.
    [Show full text]
  • Counternarcotics: Dsn: 312-664-0378 Lessons from the U.S
    SIGAR SIGAR | COUNTERNARCOTICS FRAUD, WASTE, OR ABUSE MAY BE REPORTED TO SIGAR’S HOTLINE By phone: Afghanistan Cell: 0700107300 DSN: 318-237-3912 ext. 7303 All voicemail is in Dari, Pashto, and English. By phone: United States Toll-free: 866-329-8893 COUNTERNARCOTICS: DSN: 312-664-0378 LESSONS FROM THE U.S. EXPERIENCE IN AFGHANISTAN All voicemail is in English and answered during business hours. | JUNE 2018 By fax: 703-601-4065 By email: [email protected] By web submission: www.sigar.mil/investigations/hotline/report-fraud.aspx SIGAR-18-52-LL SIGAR SPECIAL INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR AFGHANISTAN RECONSTRUCTION 2530 Crystal Drive Arlington, VA 22202 www.sigar.mil June 2018 FINAL_CN Report Cover.indd 1 6/1/2018 3:21:40 PM The NationalThe National Defense Defense Authorization Authorization Act for FYAct 2008 for FY (P.L. 2008 110-181) (P.L. 110-181) establishedestablished the Special the SpecialInspector Inspector General General for Afghanistan for Afghanistan ReconstructionReconstruction (SIGAR). (SIGAR). JOWZJAN KUNDUZ KUNDUZBADAKHSHANBADAKHSHAN JOWZJAN BALKH BALKH SIGAR’s oversightSIGAR’s oversight mission, asmission, defined as definedby the legislation, by the legislation, is to provide is to for provide the for the TAKHAR TAKHAR independentindependent and objective and objective • conduct• andconduct supervision and supervision of audits ofand audits investigations and investigations relating to relating the programs to the programs SAMANGAN SAMANGAN FARYAB FARYAB BAGHLAN BAGHLAN and operationsand operations funded with funded amounts
    [Show full text]
  • Canada in Afghanistan: 2001-2010 a Military Chronology
    Canada in Afghanistan: 2001-2010 A Military Chronology Nancy Teeple Royal Military College of Canada DRDC CORA CR 2010-282 December 2010 Defence R&D Canada Centre for Operational Research & Analysis Strategic Analysis Section Canada in Afghanistan: 2001 to 2010 A Military Chronology Prepared By: Nancy Teeple Royal Military College of Canada P.O. Box 17000 Stn Forces Kingston Ontario K7K 7B4 Royal Military College of Canada Contract Project Manager: Mr. Neil Chuka, (613) 998-2332 PWGSC Contract Number: Service-Level Agreement with RMC CSA: Mr. Neil Chuka, Defence Scientist, (613) 998-2332 The scientific or technical validity of this Contract Report is entirely the responsibility of the Contractor and the contents do not necessarily have the approval or endorsement of Defence R&D Canada. Defence R&D Canada – CORA Contract Report DRDC CORA CR 2010-282 December 2010 Principal Author Original signed by Nancy Teeple Nancy Teeple Approved by Original signed by Stephane Lefebvre Stephane Lefebvre Section Head Strategic Analysis Approved for release by Original signed by Paul Comeau Paul Comeau Chief Scientist This work was conducted as part of Applied Research Project 12qr "Influence Activities Capability Assessment". Defence R&D Canada – Centre for Operational Research and Analysis (CORA) © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence, 2010 © Sa Majesté la Reine (en droit du Canada), telle que représentée par le ministre de la Défense nationale, 2010 Abstract …….. The following is a chronology of political and military events relating to Canada’s military involvement in Afghanistan between September 2001 and March 2010.
    [Show full text]
  • Military Campaign in Afghanistan
    Military Campaign in Afghanistan Standard Note: SN/IA/5227 Last updated: 14 July 2010 Author: Claire Taylor Section International Affairs and Defence Section In the last year the military campaign in Afghanistan has taken on a fresh slant as Coalition allies have moved towards counterinsurgency operations that emphasise population security, and have begun drawing up longer term plans to strengthen the capabilities of the Afghan National Security Forces with a view to transitioning security control to the ANSF from the end of 2010 in order that Coalition military forces can begin to withdraw from mid-2011. As part of that strategy a surge of 30,000 US and 10,000 additional Coalition forces are being deployed to the country in the first half of 2010, which will bring the total ISAF force in Afghanistan to approximately 150,000 personnel by the end of 2010. Following the announcement in July 2010 that 300 additional military personnel would temporarily be deployed to Afghanistan, British forces in the country are expected to total 10,300 personnel. Although the military campaign is increasingly being viewed within the context of the wider political and economic strategy for Afghanistan this note does not examine those issues, except where they impact upon the military campaign. Further detail on the US administration’s ‘AfPak’ strategy is available in several Library papers which are listed in the related papers section. This information is provided to Members of Parliament in support of their parliamentary duties and is not intended to address the specific circumstances of any particular individual. It should not be relied upon as being up to date; the law or policies may have changed since it was last updated; and it should not be relied upon as legal or professional advice or as a substitute for it.
    [Show full text]
  • Implementing Better Counter-Insurgency Tactics in Afghanistan Hearts and Minds Are Just the Start
    Insight Alexander Jackson and Jorrit Kamminga Implementing Better Counter-Insurgency Tactics in Afghanistan Hearts and minds are just the start Some hearts and minds up for grabs. Photo: Sgt. Rebecca Linder/U.S. Army ATO’s Operation Moshtarak, launched in To make matters worse, sending in additional and Development (ICOS) interviewed more than February 2010 in the Nad Ali district of troops with a clear withdrawal date has greatly 400 Afghan men from Marjah, Lashkar Gah and N Helmand province, was the first major benefited the Taliban insurgency. They can keep a Kandahar to shed light on the local perceptions of deployment after the beginning of the much- low profile for a year or two and wait for the the military operation. The findings formed the debated surge of 30,000 U.S. troops. It was billed foreign troops to pull out of Afghanistan. As a basis of the report, “Operation Moshtarak: as the largest military operation since the invasion much-repeated Taliban dictum goes: “[The Lessons Learned,” released in May 2010. Field of 2001 and was promoted as a decisive attack international forces] may have the watches, but we research reveals that Operation Moshtarak has against one of the “last strongholds of the have the time.” With the military offensive in contributed to high levels of anger among local Taliban.” However, improvements in the size and Kandahar gradually increasing its tempo, it is Afghans: 61 percent of those interviewed feel conduct of military operations were undermined important to look at the impact of current military more negativity towards NATO forces than by a lack of sufficient, corresponding measures in tactics in a conflict that requires a political before the military offensive.
    [Show full text]