THE ANSO REPORT -Not for Copy Or Sale

The Afghanistan NGO Safety Office Issue: 20 February 16th—28th 2009

ANSO and our donors accept no liability for the results of any activity conducted or omitted on the basis of this report. THE ANSO REPORT -Not for copy or sale-

Inside this Issue COUNTRY SUMMARY Central Region 2-4 The scope of the planned ANSO DATA: AOG Initiated Attacks (Suicide, CR & IDF only) Northern Region 4-6 650 “surge” has been set at a total 2006 600 6-9 17 000 additional US Forces. 550 Eastern Region 500 2007 450 Initial deployments to War- 387 Western Region 10-11 400 dak and Logar are completed 350 303 300 12-14 with further augmentation in 2008 Southern Region 250 Helmand and Kandahar 200 15 ANSO Info Page 2009 150 planned. Recent events in 100 Wardak are early indicators 50 0 of the more aggressive tactics JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC YOU NEED TO KNOW likely to be used this year, as well as the resultant civil dis- ongoing efforts in this the south) but also the dra- • Increasing IMF presence pleasure to same. province. matic regional expansion of in the Central and South There have been a total 42 The deterioration of secu- AOG efforts in the west Regions civ cas during this 2 week rity in the West was illus- overall (refer to chart on • Continued AOG efforts to period, 24 of which have trated this period by the page 15). influence local sentiment been directly combat related. swift AOG reaction to the The use of a “wave” sui- The killing of 6 nationals (2 IMF killing of a prominent cide attack in Zaranj • Dramatic deterioration in by beheading) with perceived AOG leader in Badghis. (similar to those in Kabul) the western security con- GoA association by AOG in These incidents served to indicates the increasing text Wardak this period is indica- both highlight the resilience utilization and distribution • Suicide “wave” attacks tive of their prevalence and of AOG insitu (along with of this tactic. possible augmentation from

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Along with the second ANSO DATA: Total NGO Incidents NGO fatality this year, this period recorded 2006 AOG intimidation ef- 17 15 forts against NGO in the 2007 North, West, and South- ern Regions, as well as a 2008 short but considerable abduction of NGO staff 2009 in Central. These occur- 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 rences, as translated into JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC the consistently high volumes of NGO incidents during the opening months of 2009, indicate that the prevailing insecurity fore- casted this year will continue to have a significant impact on NGO safety. THE ANSO REPORT Page 2

NGO Incidents KABUL

KABUL Year to Date 4 35 This Report Period 1 30 On 18 February in the Shad 25 Khana area of Mussayi, a minibus were targeted because they 20 worked for an NGO. 15 carrying 11 local NGO workers 10 and three children was stopped by Within four hours both groups of 5 gunmen, believed at this stage to hostages were released unharmed 0 be AOG, with the occupants split and seven people arrested. The into two groups and taken from extremely fortunate outcome of the scene. The abduction took the incident provides an example AOG ACG place at approximately 1500 hrs of the importance of community and was reported to the NGO by engagement by NGO. In commu- hostages could be partly attributed to the the local community. The ANP nities where NGO provide tangi- measured response by the ANP. A more force- was subsequently informed and a ble benefits to the local popula- ful response could have led to an escalation of mission was sent from Kabul. tion and a clear articulation of the the confrontation and possible casualties. There is no evidence to suggest at organisation’s mandate is ex- In other reporting, general threat traffic in Ka- this stage that those abducted plained, NGO should expect a bul remains high following the attacks of 11 degree of ‘community ownership’. February. Unconfirmed threats have been pub- KEY THREATS & CONCERNS In this case, the involvement of licised against virtually all of the major govern- !"Prevailing insecurity for Kabul the local community was essential ment ministries in the last reporting period, City to the retrieval of all the NGO however this should be contextualised within !"Suicide and IED attacks workers unharmed. the current security environment and the gov- !"Abduction/kidnapping In addition, the safe release of all ernment’s attempts to increase security around the ministry complexes.

NGO Incidents WARDAK WARDAK Year to Date 0 30 This Report Period 0 Saydabad was again the scene of 25 for spying. 20 the majority of incidences across 15 the province. Two attacks were For the year to date, Wardak has 10 recorded in the district against experienced a 60 percent increase 5 IMF convoys, although no casual- in the number of security inci- 0 ties were reported and in the dents from the same period in Tangi area of Saydabad, two locals 2008. However the figure for

were reportedly killed by AOG January and February 2009 only AOG ACG represents one half of all security incidents in the province for Au- KEY THREATS & CONCERNS gust 2008. If this trend is set to firms that the ‘fighting season’, as it has be- !"Attacks along main routes continue, and there is no evidence come commonly known, will be lengthier and !"De-facto AOG control to suggest it will not, then Wardak more violent than in all previous reporting !"Prevailing instability throughout will experience a significantly years. province higher number of incidents throughout 2009. This also con-

Please Note: Monthly graphs provided in this report are inclusive as of 25 February 2009. THE ANSO REPORT Page 3

NGO Incidents LOGAR LOGAR Year to Date 0 This Report Period 0 30 Logar, in combination with War- 25 dak, is being viewed with intense On 21 February, IMF forces 20 interest due to its strategic loca- raided a compound in the Deh 15 tion as a gateway to Kabul and Naw area of Muhammad Agha 10 host to elements of the new IMF district, killing one local national. 5 0 build-up. If events of the last By the next morning, several hun- week are an indicator of future dred people had gathered to pro- test the death of the individual trends, then the expected increase AOG ACG in kinetic contact between IMF and the incarceration of four oth- and AOG forces is all but guaran- ers. Reports suggest that there was teed. little if any ANSF presence at the other two held for questioning. demonstration and protestors If events of a similar nature occur again, as were seen with rifles and RPGs they almost inevitably will, then the provincial KEY THREATS & CONCERNS calling on the provincial authori- authorities will face an increasingly vocal and !" ties to release the men and to de- AOG freedom of movement possibly belligerent reaction. The issue of civil- mand an end to IMF raids with- !"Clashes between AOG/security ian casualties and the presence of IMF forces forces out prior local consultations. Two in areas previously without an international !"Abduction/kidnapping of the four locals arrested the security presence will place the local authorities night before were released and the

NGO Incidents KAPISA KAPISA Year to Date 0 20 This Report Period 0 The eastern districts of Tagab and 15 Alasay, as well as Mahmudi Raqi, 18 February, IMF forces raided a 10 represent 80 percent of the secu- compound in Daram Daram, 5 rity incidents recorded in the within Tagab, arresting a local Kapisa for 2009. The overwhelm- man and seizing two weapons. A 0 ing majority of reports are a result further two locals were injured in of IMF/ANA operations or AOG the incident and treated at a local attacks on ANP checkpoints. On hospital. AOG ACG The western districts of Kapisa - Hesa Awal Kohistan and Hesa a result of a higher level of development and KEY THREATS & CONCERNS Duwum Kohistan – have few re- greater socio-economic opportunity. This in !"Collateral damage resulting from ported incidences beyond general turn provides a more secure operational envi- clashes low levels of criminality, largely as ronment for NGO.

NGO Incidents BAMYAN BAMYAN Year to Date 0 10 This Report Period 0 Bamyan is a safe operating envi- 8 ronment for NGO. Any threat ernment and IMF security pres- 6 from AOG or ACG remains ence. Heavy snow falls between 4 minimal in the province which Yakawlang and Bamyan centre 2 maintains a relatively scarce gov- and generally cross the province 0 have severely hampered road KEY THREATS & CONCERNS travel throughout the province as

!"Weather related road hazards witnessed on 25 February when AOG ACG !"AOG presence in Kahmard, Say- the main road between Yakawlang ghan, and Shibar and Bamyan centre was closed. THE ANSO REPORT Page 4

NGO Incidents PANJSHIR Year to Date 0 This Report Period 0 village of Chelena in the south and Dangana in Panjshir, as has historically been the east, combined with the northern road elements, whether ACG or AOG, the case, remains a secure opera- closed due to heavy snow, has meant that Pan- into the area. Tightly controlled tional area for NGO. The Panjshir jshir remains the most peaceful province in access through the main access Valley serves as an important bar- Afghanistan. rier to the movement of hostile point into the province near the

NGO Incidents FARYAB FARYAB Year to Date 0 This Report Period 0 12 Although having experienced a 10 few incidents in this reporting of Ghormach and Bala Murghab 8 in Badghis. An AOG carried out 6 period, Faryab remains surpris- 4 ingly resistant to the nearby vio- an attack on a police checkpoint 2 lence in the neighboring districts in Pashtun Kot while a dispute 0 between villagers in Khwaja Sabz JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC Posh turned violent and erupted AOG ACG KEY THREATS & CONCERNS into a firefight. NGOs operating !"AOG sentiment in western dis- in the western districts, particular lant for the presence of IEDs along the Ring tricts Qaysar, should continue to oper- Road, with the threat generally increasing the !"IED threat along Ring Road ate only with the utmost caution. further westward one travels. Road missions should also be vigi-

NGO Incidents TAKHAR TAKHAR Year to Date 1 10 This Report Period 1 An armed robbery of an INGO 8 compound highlighted the threat was in Taluqan City, which is risk- 6 ier from the ACG point of view posed to Takhar by ACG activity. 4 because of a higher police pres- In an apparently well planned and 2 executed incident, four individuals ence and as it was also carried out at night, the robbers would have 0 (two of whom were armed) JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC robbed the INGO of the cash been nearly the only traffic on the streets. The fact that the ACG from its safe. The execution of AOG ACG the robbery points to a fair may have had inside information amount premeditation in that the (to make such a risky robbery staff in order to give them the rudiments for ACG knew whom it wanted to worthwhile) suggests that they dealing with these sorts of frightening situa- steal from, presumably that the also had a degree of inside infor- tions. INGO had enough cash on hand mation. Also, the lack of ANSF Other events in Taluqan underline other po- to make it worthwhile, and that response could also represent tential vulnerabilities. An IED discovered in they went directly for the money some higher-level complexities Chah Ab district in the far northeast is notable and left other persons and prop- surrounding this event. The because the district is so remote and relatively erty undisturbed. The robbery INGO’s staff probably saved lives inaccessible to outside actors and armed by their quick and quiet acquies- groups of unknown provenance clashed in a cence to the ACG demands. The rural area of Taluqan district. Also, two indi- KEY THREATS & CONCERNS occurrence of a potentially violent viduals were arrested in possession of 84 kg of !"ACG activity event in usually tranquil Taluqan gunpowder, which fits into a larger pattern of !"AOG efforts to establish presence also highlights the value of per- increasing weapons seizures across the north sonal security training for NGO lately (see Balkh for more information). THE ANSO REPORT Page 5

NGO Incidents SAR-E-PUL SAR-E-PUL Year to Date 0 This Report Period 0 10 An incident involving the armed 8 robbery of a vehicle belonging to into less well-known environs. The absence of NGO incidents in 6 an international humanitarian or- 4 ganisation highlights the risks of Sari Pul is not so much indicative 2 the province’s many remote areas. of a lack of AOG and ACG activ- The incident led to no injuries and ity but rather the of lack of expo- 0 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC was facilitated by the organisa- sure by NGOs. Additional infor- tion’s vehicle simply straying off mation obtained by ANSO indi- AOG ACG its intended route and venturing cates that criminality is rife in remote districts and the rare NGO pass up given local privations. Accordingly, KEY THREATS & CONCERNS (or similarly perceived high value) the back roads to Yakawlang and Bamyan !"Travel in remote areas vehicle would simply present too along the Balkh Ab should be considered high !"ACG activity much a target of opportunity to risk for NGO travel given their remoteness.

NGO Incidents BALKH BALKH Year to Date 2 20 This Report Period 0 The two loci of activity in Balkh 15 province are Mazar city for ACG too early to make sound judge- 10 activity and Chahar Bolak for ments on the implications of this AOGs. Along with robberies, trend (if indeed it is a full fledged 5 much of the ACG activity in Ma- trend) but for the moment it suggests three possibilities; reporting 0 zar city takes the form of traffick- JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC ing in various illicit items and sub- has improved, the ANSF’s effi- stances. Like other provinces in cacy has increased, or the amount AOG ACG the north (Baghlan, Kunduz, and of weapons being transported Takhar), Balkh has recently seen through or brought into the north sway local Pashtun sentiment in favour of their an increase in weapons seizures. has increased. A night letter goals (the document contained an illustration These seizures have produced posted publicly in Chahar Bulak of a person meant to represent the Afghan more weapons and weapons of district reiterated previously state lying prostrate on the ground being ma- increased lethality (mortar rounds voiced threats to a wide range of nipulated by the forces in question). The re- in place of BM-1 rockets). It is actors (GoA, its accomplices, any- sult of letters such this is represent not so one un-Islamic). Photocopied much an immediate threat to NGOs (though KEY THREATS & CONCERNS from a professional-looking tem- NGOs should always remain vigilant with re- !"ACG activity plate the letter was written in gards to threats) as it is indicative of AOG ef- Pashto and was probably an at- forts to gain acceptance and expand opera- !"Threats in Chahar Baluk tempt on the part of AOGs to tional capabilities.

NOTICE: Your input is invaluable for the production of this report. While we appreciate information on incidents, we also need general information on the security situation in your area. So please remember to call or email us regularly. Contact details of ANSO staff are provide on the last page.

ANSO: “..by NGOs for NGOs..” THE ANSO REPORT Page 6

NGO Incidents BAGHLAN BAGHLAN Year to Date 0 This Report Period 0 14 While Baghlan has been calm of 12 late, it has been witness to a few jor north-south artery means it is 10 bound to be the locus of much 8 significant weapons seizures (see 6 Balkh). The province’s strategic activity, legal and otherwise. Out- 4 lying districts, which saw a fair bit 2 location along Afghanistan’s ma- 0 of AOG activity throughout 2008, JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC have likely been quiet in recent KEY THREATS & CONCERNS months due to snow and inclem- AOG ACG !"AOG activity in remote districts ent conditions. As temperatures !"IED threat along Puli Khumri – rise, NGOs should be extremely these areas as the stasis of winter will also thaw Kunduz corridor cautious about venturing into and allow AOG activity to resume.

NGO Incidents KUNDUZ KUNDUZ Year to Date 0 20 This Report Period 1 Kunduz this period saw the re- 15 emergence of a pattern of threat- ence (which has hereto not been ening state agents or those seen to very successful in that the sources 10 be sympathetic to them. An of unrest in Kunduz have re- 5 INGO employee received a night mained constant). The wording of the letter was broken and the 0 letter threatening their life and JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC urging then to desist in their work. speaker was both semi-literate and a native Pashto speaker, meaning The placement of the letter and its AOG ACG wording are significant. The dis- that the writer likely had ties to trict has little indigenous AOG the communities in other areas of eral individuals suspected of involvement in sentiment but has been known to the district were AOG sentiment criminal networks. An SAF attack on a factory receive night letters before and has been consistently strong for in the outskirts of Kunduz could also have reflects Kunduz AOGs’ apparent some time. been the result of ACG activity. In general the strategy of trying to expand pres- Other recent trends continued threat in Kunduz city is not directed at NGO unabated in the province, includ- activity, being that it seems to stem primarily KEY THREATS & CONCERNS ing a SAF attack on a school in from ACG activity (as opposed higher AOG sentiment in outlying districts), though it still !"IED Qal’ai Zal and a high amount of does carry the increased risk of NGOs becom- !"Threats to perceived GoA associa- ACG activity in Kunduz city, as tion witnessed by a number of weap- ing involved collaterally. ons seizure and the arrest of sev-

NGO Incidents PAKTYA

PAKTYA Year to Date 0 40 This Report Period 0 While limited AOG activity was 30 the early hours of 18 February reported in the province at the 20 start of 2009, few incidents of IMF searched several properties 10 note have occurred since. Security and, having found a stock of night forces continue to mount opera- letters, arrested nine people sus- 0 tions, and in Sayid Karam during pected of AOG membership. As weather in the province improves

it will be possible to discern AOG ACG KEY THREATS & CONCERNS whether deployments of addi- !"IED on Gardez-Khost road tional IMF in neighbouring prov- AOG in Paktya, or whether the current lack of !"Abduction inces have had an impact on reported activity is a seasonal lull. THE ANSO REPORT Page 7

NGO Incidents KHOST KHOST Year to Date 0 This Report Period 0 40 Approximately half of all security 30 incidents reported in Khost dur- also targeted in Bak when an IED 20 ing late February have been IED exploded on 21 February, this related. The device used in Tani time causing no casualties. Else- 10 on 19 February killed one ANA where, devices were found and 0 soldier and injured another. On made safe in the districts of the same day in Shamal one per- Khost, Mando Zayi, Sabari and son was killed and two were in- Nadir Shah Kot. AOG ACG jured when a device detonated Sabari DAC has been subjected to against the security escort vehicle repeated indirect fire attacks, be- person was injured in the attack that took place of a construction company. A ing targeted three times in the last on 17 February. AOG in the province have construction company vehicle was ten days of this month, each time made limited use of direct fire, killing three with mortars or rockets that failed ANA soldiers in Khost City on the morning of 19 February, and attacking an IM patrol in KEY THREATS & CON- to hit the DAC. With a total of 11 CERNS indirect fire attacks in 2009, and Tere Zayi on the same day. In the Babrak Tana !"Collateral damage from several IED incidents in the vicin- area of Khost a joint ANS/IMF operation on AOG/SF engagements ity, it is reasonable to assume that 21 February engaged AOG, killing and wound- !"Suicide attacks in Khost AOG will mount more complex ing several. Other security force operations City/DAC attacks against the DAC in the took place in Sabari, Tere Zayi and Gurbuz, all !"IED along main routes near future. Bak DAC was also resulting in arrests and/or munitions finds. targeted by mortar fire, and one

NGO Incidents LAGHMAN LAGHMAN Year to Date 1 10 This Report Period 0 While the number of security inci- 8 dents reported in Laghman re- AOG activity, the roadside rob- 6 mains low, it is higher than pre- bery of the crew of a delivery ve- 4 hicle contracted to an interna- ceding weeks in this year, and 2 those that have occurred give in- tional organisation that took place 0 dications of AOG intent to pur- in Alingar on 21 February is an- sue their objectives in the Spring other demonstration of how the level of insecurity in the region of 2009 in a similar manner to AOG ACG that employed at the end of can facilitate criminality. Also in 2008.While not attributable to Alingar during this period security lull in activity, AOG are still present in the forces found and made safe a southern district around Route 1. As occasion- number of IED, including 2 in the ally occurs, increased AOG activity levels are KEY THREATS & CONCERNS area of Sangar, one in Panjkora accompanied by escalation of force incidents, !"Collateral damage from direct fire and another close to the village of and on 22 February an ANA patrol shot and attacks on IMF/ANSF Qasaba. The discovery of another injured a female passenger in a car that inad- !"IED on main routes through device in Qarghayi on 24 February vertently approached the patrol on Route 1. Alishing & Alinger valleys is evidence that despite a recent THE ANSO REPORT Page 8

NGO Incidents KUNAR

KUNAR Year to Date 4 140 This Report Period 0 120 Weekly incident rates in Kunar 100 have been decreasing throughout side of the border is still unclear, 80 with latest reports indicating that 60 February and are now on a par 40 with the corresponding period in several prominent members of 20 2008. Any combination of several AOG who had crossed from Af- 0 factors may explain this decline. ghanistan into Pakistan in late In early February IMF closed a 2008 have now returned to base in Chawkay that came under Kunar. As reported previously, AOG ACG attack on an almost daily basis. An AOG activity in the province is additional IMF battalion has re- diversifying, with direct fire at- by an armed group before all those travelling cently been deployed to the bor- tacks on security force fixed or with the vehicle were released unharmed. Inci- der areas of the province, and static positions now accounting dents such as these are lending credibility to while not yet fully operational may for fewer than half of all incidents reports that some of the violence directed have caused a pause in AOG op- initiated by AOG. As is common, against construction companies is motivated erations while the implications of many of these attacks occurred in by business and personal rivalries and not sim- the deployment are being ab- Mano Gai, where one position in ply an AOG objection to the development of sorbed. Although some public Korangal was attacked four times infrastructure in the province. sources have started to claim that in six days and where ANP check- Continuing reports of AOG movement, lower at least parts of ‘Operation Lion- points came under fire on at least than anticipated incident rates, and the limited heart’ conducted in Pakistan have two occasions. Ghaziabad in the use of indirect fire attacks all add to the im- been successful, the military bene- north of the province is seeing pression that AOG in Kunar have had better fit of the operation on the western increasing levels of AOG activity access to manpower than munitions during and the last week of February has February. As the weather in the province im- seen ANP in the villages of Sonak proves, and as the situation east of the border KEY THREATS & CONCERNS and Nishagam attacked four stabilises, incident rates can be expected to !"Collateral damage from clashes times. increase. !"AOG prevalence in Chapa Dara In Mano Gai on 20 February a !"AOG movement in Khas Kunar construction company vehicle was forced to stop and was destroyed THE ANSO REPORT Page 9

NGO Incidents NURISTAN NURISTAN Year to Date 0 25 This Report Period 0 Reported AOG activity in Nuris- 20 tan has increased in late February, period of about 20 minutes on the 15 with incidents taking place in the morning of 21 February Kamdesh 10 north and south of the province.. DAC was also attacked. North- 5 In Kamdesh AOG attacked a East of the DAC, the IM/ANA 0 joint IMF/ANA base on both 21 base at Kamo was attacked for the and 25 February, injuring an ANA first time this month, when AOG soldier in the latter incident. For a targeted it with direct fire for AOG ACG about 30 minutes on the morning of 25 February. In the south of groups continue to circulate and prove difficult KEY THREATS & CONCERNS the province, AOG used a single to assess, although the number and location of !"AOG prevalence in Kamdesh, rocket in an attempted attack on incidents now being reported support claims Waygal, & Wama Nurgaram DAC on the afternoon that AOG are present in greater numbers and !"AOG checkpoints of 18 February. Reports of AOG in more parts of the province than has been !"Abduction/kidnapping movement and collusion between the case in recent years.

NGO Incidents NANGAHAR NANGARHAR Year to Date 3 This Report Period 0 40 As is usual, the majority of secu- 30 rity incidents reported in Nan- no detonations against targets. On garhar during this period have 25 February however a teenage 20 been linked to criminality, with at boy was arrested and detained by 10 ANSF on the Jalalabad-Asadabad least six incidents involving the 0 exchange of gunfire between indi- road in Kuz Kunar. It is reported viduals or groups, three of which that the boy had been recruited as a suicide bomber, although no resulted in fatalities. Security AOG ACG forces in the province mounted BBIED has been found. This inci- several anti-drugs operations, dent follows a similar arrest in now being questioned. searching properties and seizing Jalalabad in late January. On 26 On 27 February AOG exercised what appears substantial amounts of processed February two people travelling on to be growing freedom of movement in the drugs, and continuing a poppy a tractor were injured when their south by entering several mosques during af- eradication programme in vehicle detonated an IED in the ternoon prayers in a village in Sherzad. The Chaparhar and Achin where a central district of Kot, and on 28 group claimed that their operations around the number of arrests were also made. February an IMF patrol was tar- village would be increasing and extended into geted by an IED in Khogyani, The first part of this reporting daylight hours. The group also made appeals causing no injuries and only minor period saw less IED activity in based on a common faith and used this to ask damage. There are developing Nangarhar than had been experi- those present to reject GOA and abide by indicators that IED activity in the enced in preceding weeks, with Sharia law. While IED have been used pre- province is closely linked to IM/ finds being made in several south- dominately against security forces, and IMF or ANSF operations, with devices ern and eastern districts but with joint patrols in particular, there are signs that being placed soon after IM/ targeting may be diversifying. While the deto- KEY THREATS & CONCERNS ANSF activity in districts, and nation against the tractor on 26 February may almost exclusively targeting secu- !"Continuing SV/BBIED threat in have been unintended, other recent incidents Jalalabad City rity force vehicles and personnel. have involved large commercial vehicles that !"Attacks on DAC The extent to which this activity may be perceived as having links to IMF. influences the security force remit !"IED on main routes in the south of the province is THE ANSO REPORT Page 10

NGO Incidents BADGHIS BADGHIS Year to Date 1 This Report Period 0 20

Events in Badghis during the last 15 fortnight have had an adverse af- release from prison and subse- fect on AOG influence and lead- quently launched a very successful 10 ership in the province. On 15 Feb operation against the ANSF. This 5 turn of events may also help as- an IMF air strike killed the AOG’s 0 highest military leader in Badghis suage the passions of a rival com- JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC along with half a dozen of his key munity bent upon revenge for the associates, creating a vacuum at assassination by AOG of their AOG ACG the apex level of AOG command. leader in late Jan. This event also provides a re- After AOG concentrated in large established (with reports indicating that meet- prieve for the government; as it numbers in Murghab, they subse- ings have already occurred to achieve this was previously accused of mishan- quently launched numerous re- goal), this lull will likely be limited as there is dling the affair upon granting a taliatory efforts, including stand- no shortage of replacements. The reversion to general amnesty to the AOG off attacks on ANP check posts the earlier times of turbulence – with the two commander – a commander who and the Provincial Reconstruction major AOG groups contending for dominance executed an about face after his Team in Murghab, with up to 60 is also possible - given the sudden onset of a rockets fired at this facility alone. leadership vacuum and the quest for leadership amongst those who were coerced earlier to KEY THREATS & CONCERNS While the present situation in join under a unified movement. !"AOG attacks on security forces Badghis suggests there may be a !"Prevailing instability future lull in AOG operations until effective leadership is re-

NGO Incidents FARAH FARAH Year to Date 1 20 This Report Period 0 While the usual spate of AOG 15 attacks on ANP police stations also the availability of actionable and check points were not wit- intelligence with the security 10 nessed during this period, Farah forces, the urban counterinsur- 5 saw intense military operations by gency character of such operations places local populations at 0 security forces. The major opera- JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC tion being in Rabat area of Qala I risk of being caught up in the cross fire. The hazardous combi- Koh where twelve AOG were AOG ACG killed in joint ANP and IMF ac- nation of high intensity warfare tion. The other operation - again being fought out in semi-urban Dara (Posht Koh) for ransom, point to the in Qala I Koh - led to six mortali- locations augurs high risks to the frequent recourse by ACG to such crime. The ties along with eight being injured. non-combatants. NGO may like other ACG connected incident was the seizure While the incidents indicate the to caution their staff operating of a large quantity of opiates and arms smug- high levels of AOG presence and and residing in all such areas from gled from across the border. The smuggling of being caught up in conflict situa- arms is a matter of concern in an area rife with KEY THREATS & CONCERNS tions. conflict. The general availability of ordinance !"SVBIED The rescue of a kidnapping victim raises the potential for such clashes in a society !"IED in Khaki Safed district and the deeply fractured as a result of ethnic divides. abduction of a villager in Anar THE ANSO REPORT Page 11

NGO Incidents GHOR GHOR Year to Date 1 This Report Period 0 10 Ghor exhibited a low level of 8 ablaze was possibly to deliver a AOG and ACG activity when 6 compared to the rest of the region message of hostility towards the IMF operating in the area. 4 during this period. Of the occur- 2 ring incidents, the most promi- The injuring of a local resident of 0 nent was the looting and setting Taywara in a mortar bomb explo- JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC afire of a PRT vehicle. The vehicle sion, and the subsequent discov-

was previously immobilised and ery of another five devices from AOG ACG abandoned due to inclement the same area, highlights the haz- weather in the Bayan Pass area, ards to those living and operating both previous and present conflicts. In addi- and the act of setting the vehicle in active conflict zones and the tion, the seizure of two primed IED’s in Sha- concomitant threat of unexploded harak is a disturbing sign in an area otherwise KEY THREATS & CONCERNS ordinance. In line with such fre- not frequently known for tactics employing !"IED quent recoveries made on earlier asymmetric forms of warfare; though other forms of AOG activities are prevalent in the !"UXO occasions, this indicates the level of proliferation of ordinance from area.

NGO Incidents HERAT

HERAT Year to Date 4 25

This Report Period 1 20 Four armed AOG in a car approached a team comprising of 50 closely resembled those of the 15 NGO staff operating in the Taki Taki Naki incident. While there 10 Naki area of Zinda Jan District on have been few reports of AOG 5 activity in this area earlier, the 23 Feb. After asking the NGO 0 staff to hand over their mobile many striking similarities between JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC the two strongly indicate the ac- phones, radios and GPS equip- AOG ACG ment, the AOG placed it all in the tive presence of an AOG group ambulance and set it afire along which may be operating off a base remains sketchy, a second such threat warning with six other vehicles. The timely in Gulran District. Though not (attack via SVBIED or other means) was re- arrival of the ANP forced the indicating a pattern, the incidents ceived indicating the possible targeting of AOG to depart with all the NGO certainly suggest a heightened NGO vehicles and establishments by AOG in staff remaining unharmed. Within level of threat from AOG to Herat City and environs as well as Badghis twelve hours of this incident (and NGO operating or transiting the province. While there is a possibility that these three km away) two truck drivers area as well as suggesting long threats emanated from planned retaliation to of Iranian nationality were also term ramifications for NGO op- the recent killing of a prominent AOG com- abducted on Herat-Islam Qala erating in the area mander in an IMF air strike in Badghis, the road following a mechanical Multiple AOG threats also ema- only manifestation of this threat thus far has breakdown. The description and nated within Herat during this been the attack on a joint GoA/community approach of the kidnappers period of reporting - ranging from representative’s team in Badghis Province on BBIED threats to attacks on the 25 Feb. As such, the efficacy of this threat KEY THREATS & CONCERNS NGO vehicles. The first consisted is difficult to determine though the curtailing of a BBIED attack threat received !"Kidnapping/abduction movement by NGO during such threat warn- against an unnamed NGO, the !"Threat against the NGO commu- ing periods may allow for the threat to harm- nity Indian Consulate and the PRT. lessly expend itself. While information on this threat THE ANSO REPORT Page 12

NGO Incidents KANDAHAR

KANDAHAR Year to Date 1 80 This Report Period 2 The state of the conflict in Kan- 60 dahar continued to intensify, con- letter was placed on the house of 40 a national staff member from a fronting NGO with a persistent 20 AOG desire to target NGO staff different INGO. The letter 0 in the province. On 17 February warned the employee to cease in Kandahar City, District 2, “working with the Americans,” or Malajat Village, an INGO national he would face death. Significantly, staff member was shot several these two incidents were preceded AOG ACG times in the head and killed whilst by similar night letters being he was on his way to work by two posted on the doors of local exponentially more casualties if they relocated AOG on a motorbike. It was ap- mosques in the same district two within the province. parently well-known in the area weeks earlier. Because NGO are incorrectly perceived as that the victim worked for a for- It is evident—demonstrated in the bringing about improvements in the quality of eign organization, and he proba- recent Al-Samood article—that life for recipients of aid at the behest of the bly had an established movement AOG desire to erode the image of GoA, AOG may be frustrated by their inability pattern. Previous executions of neutrality that NGO have advo- to effectively, openly associate themselves with NGO staff in Kandahar occurred cated throughout the conflict in development programming, which would bol- in July and August of 2008 in Afghanistan, and that AOG in ster AOG “humanitarian” credentials. This Zhari and Nesh Districts, and Kandahar will continue to overtly AOG desire to be associated with develop- NGO should consider the threat assassinate, intimidate, and assault ment programming was illustrated on 20 Feb- to staff to be critical, with proba- NGO staff, especially in Kanda- ruary when ANA prevented an AOG road bly even more incidents going har City and Panjwai District. construction project in Panjwai District. The unreported. The threat to INGO While the bulk of intimidation situation is further complicated, however, be- workers was further emphasised and assaults on NGO staff have cause some AOG commanders have disdain in District 2 of Kandahar City on occurred in these two districts— for NGO and their operations, while others the following day when a threat since 2006, ten in the former and recognize their important roles in civil society. three in the latter—NGO should Regardless, NGO must prepare themselves for KEY THREATS & CONCERNS note that the trend is likely only extremely deteriorating circumstances writ !"Abduction/kidnapping manifest because NGO have not large, especially in contested GoA/AOG re- !"Attacks against NGO staff been able to operate outside of gions, a condition that should necessitate a !"IED these areas in the past, suggesting dramatic review of programming and methods that NGO would probably suffer to ensure acceptance, especially from AOG. THE ANSO REPORT Page 13

NGO Incidents NIMROZ NIMROZ Year to Date 1 20 This Report Period 0 AOG continue to dominate of- 15 proached the Second ANP sub- fensive operations in the province, 10 with ever increasing activity and a station and Anti-Narcotics De- demonstrated increase in com- partment. Initially, two of the 5 plexity. The latter factor mani- BBIED attackers attempted to separately enter the respective 0 fested itself in the 23 February JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC attack on ANP in Zaranj City facilities; however, ANP at the different sites challenged them, when four BBIED attackers ap- AOG ACG causing the BBIED attacker at the KEY THREATS & CONCERNS ANP sub-station to detonate his his vest at the second site, causing no casualties !"Prevalent security vacuum vest, which killed one ANP and except for the obvious death of the attacker. !"Abduction/kidnapping wounded two additional ANP and The whereabouts of the remaining two !"Suicide attacks in Zaranj & Kash two civilians. Within three min- BBIED attackers are currently unknown de- Rod utes of the first detonation, the spite ANP attempts to locate them. second BBIED attacker detonated

NGO Incidents GHAZNI G HAZNI Year to Date 0 JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 40 This Report Period 0

Activity in Ghazni province was 30 minimal during this reporting pe- no such raid occurred, locals claim riod and only marked by a contro- that IMF desecrated the mosque, 20 versial raid that locals assert oc- driving residents to show there ire curred in the village of Di Kho- in a massive demonstration that 10 led to ANP opening fire to dis- daidad on the village’s mosque. 0 While IMF continue to insist that perse participants. NGO operating in the area and Ghazni City AOG ACG KEY THREATS & CONCERNS should treat the incident seriously, !"Rocket/RPG attacks regardless of its veracity, and con- !"Abduction/kidnapping tinually stay abreast of current !"Incidents along main routes conditions.

NGO Incidents URUZGAN URUZGAN Year to Date 2 This Report Period 0 20 Incidents in Uruzgan were minimal and marked by only two nota- District on the 25th, AOG at- 15 ble incidents. In Shahidi Hassas tacked an IMF/ANA convoy, 10 later driving IMF to launch an airstrike that reportedly killed ten 5 KEY THREATS & CONCERNS AOG. And in Khas Uruzgan on !"AOG opposition to NGO activi- 0 ties the 20th, two IMF were killed and JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC three injured when an IED struck !"Kidnapping/abduction AOG ACG their patrol. !"IED THE ANSO REPORT Page 14

NGO Incidents HELMAND HELMAND Year to Date 0 This Report Period 0 40 Historically, this province has 30 been unstable and harshly prob- inces. Importantly, though, past lematic for NGO operations. Be- experience and threat reporting 20 suggest that AOG have histori- cause the threats received this 10 reporting period continued to cally deceived ANSF and IMF by focus on IMF and ANSF person- leaking false threat information; 0 nel or establishments, the possibil- for instance, information would JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC detail a plan for a suicide attack in ity of NGO that reside or operate AOG ACG in close proximity to any military Sangin, while the actual operation facilities, or find themselves in the would occur in Musa Qala. ing NGO directly, diligence in applying miti- presence of IMF/ANSF convoys, IMF and ANSF were active in gating measures should persist. being incidentally targeted is high. Nawa, Nad Ali and Nawa-i-Barak Additionally, NGO should be aware of the In this previous week, one specific Zai districts during the reporting ongoing poppy eradication campaign in Lash- threat was received involving period, with reportedly more than kar Gah City and its neighbouring districts, IMF/ANSF in Lashkar Gah City, fifty AOG killed and a significant namely Nad Ali and Nawa-i-Barak Zai, that with an AOG commander report- number of AOG arrested. In spite destroyed approximately 367 hectares of edly recruiting seven suicide at- of these operations, AOG are poppy fields during this reporting period. Pre- tackers, equipped with military consistently targeting IMF and viously, no major opposition to this process uniforms, to carry out attacks in ANSF with IED or close-range had been noted until the 24 February attack on Kabul, Kunduz, and Balkh prov- attacks. As usual, an upsurge in a poppy eradication team that resulted in the AOG activity is highly expected killing of eighteen AOG and the wounding of KEY THREATS & CONCERNS throughout the province due to two ANA and two IMF soldiers. Because of !"Prevailing instability improvements in weather condi- the resultant animosity that surrounds these tions that will allow greater free- operations, NGO should consider ceasing ac- !"Abduction/kidnapping dom in AOG movements. Al- tivities in the areas where eradication is ongo- !"IED though AOG in the province are ing. continuing to abstain from target-

NGO Incidents ZABUL ZABUL Year to Date 0 40 This Report Period 0 Zabul has seen a drop in the num- 30 ber of AOG driven incidents; communal elders, and Islamic 20 however, it is widely believed that scholars in three different districts this decline is attributed to poor of the province this reporting pe- 10 weather conditions. Likewise, it riod, with key points of discussion including requiring ANSF partici- 0 appears that tension between IMF JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC and the local populace that had pation during IMF search operations and strict avoidance of civil- arisen due to civilian casualties AOG ACG during IMF operations in the re- ian casualties. Locals believe that cent past was addressed; at least if such discussions continue, posi- support for IMF and ANSF may hinder future four core gatherings are said to tive results could include stabiliz- AOG activity. have been held between IMF, ing the security situation and de- Despite the low levels of incidents reported terring negative perceptions of thus far in 2009, Zabul has historically been IMF in the region. Additionally, unstable, and the threat of IED and VBIED KEY THREATS & CONCERNS because a substantial number of attacks against valuable targets and IMF/ !"Abduction/kidnapping residents are reported to be em- ANSF vehicles; abductions; and intimidation !"Banditry ployed by IMF in the construction of GoA staff and local IMF employees remains !"IED of a large base in the area of Sori high. (situated south of Qalat City) local THE AFGHANISTAN NGO OFFICE - CONTACTS AND INFORMATION

CONTACT ANSO MISSING

This report ANSO CENTRAL REGION OFFICE (KABUL) could not provide ANSO is hosted by Phil Priestley - [email protected] - 0799 323 792 Deutsche Welthungerhilfe analysis for the prov- Mukhtar Hussain - [email protected] - 0799 322 116 inces of:

NORTH REGION OFFICE (MAZAR) !" Parwan Scott Bohlinger - [email protected] - 0799 404 617 Firoz Fahez - [email protected] - 0799 408 252 !" Daykundi To Register with ANSO !" Jawzjan contact: EAST REGION OFFICE (JALALABAD) !" Samangan [email protected] Chris Hansen - [email protected] - 0799 248 362 !" Badakshan Khisrow Shohar - [email protected] - 0798 778 014 !" Paktika

ANSO is managed by an NGO SOUTH REGION OFFICE (KANDAHAR) This is because we Board. If you have any Mohammadi - [email protected] - 0700 300 730 do not know enough feedback, good or bad, let about the area to them know on: comment on the sig- [email protected] WEST REGION OFFICE (HERAT) nificance of the inci- Kulvinder Brar- [email protected] - 0799 322 192 dents occurring there. ANSO ACRONYMS Vacant- [email protected] - 0799 446 820

IMF-International Military COUNTRY MANAGEMENT (KABUL) If you can help us Forces / AOG-Armed Oppo- Nic Lee - [email protected] - 0799 325 349 understand the prov- sition Groups / GOA- Nathan Ronaldson - [email protected] - 0797 165 017 ince better please Government of Afghanistan Chona Bollos - [email protected] - 0797 093 073 / ACG-Armed Criminal contact us. Groups / ANA-Afghan Na- Ali Riazi - [email protected] - 0797 414 100 tional Army / ANP-Afghan National Police / IED- Improvised Exploding De- ANSO DATA: WESTERN PROVINCES ! AOG INCIDENTS vice / AEF-Afghan Eradica- tion Forces / RPG-Rocket

Propelled Grenade / IDF- 50 48 44 Indirect Fire (ex: mortars) / 45 VBIED-Vehicle Borne Impro- 40 vised Exploding Device / PRP-Previous Reporting 35 Period / ANBP-Afghan Na- 30 tional Border Police / SAF- 25 Small Arms Fire / NDS- 20 National Directorate of Se- 15 curity (intelligence) / PSC- 10

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