Strategic SSI -

DAILY SITUATION REPORT 29 MAY 2010

SAFETY AND SECURITY ISSUES RELEVANT TO SSSI PERSONNEL AND CLIENTS

Various Threat Reports were received of possible attacks in Kabul over the past few days. A number of these reports indicate that the insurgents are planning a spectacular attack to be conducted before or during the planned Peace Jirga – scheduled for 02 to 04 Jun 10 in Kabul. The Peace Jirga will draw attention to the western part of the city where the event will take place, and the focus will be on the Kabul Polytechnic University and the Intercontinental Hotel. However, there will be a large number of international media in the city, and any incident in the city will provide the insurgents with immediate propaganda in the international mass media. Therefore, any target of opportunity may be attacked. The higher the profile of the target, the more propaganda value the insurgents will gain. It should be accepted that the insurgents are aware of this opportunity, and will most likely plan to exploit the situation.

MAJOR COUNTRY WIDE EVENTS

Badghis: During a joint Nuristan: Approx 300 Ins from IM/ANSF operation 7 x Ins TTP moved in from Pakistan to KIA and 8 x Ins WIA take over control on Nargh-E Matal District. Fire Fights ongoing in district

Khost: Insurgents attacked and overran a District Administrative Centre

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Threat Reports Received Last 3 Days

26 May: Herat: Threat of five suicide bombers planning attack on Mil Targets

27 May: Insurgents are planning attacks in the city in the days leading to the Peace Jirga

26 May: Herat: Threat of a possible VBIED attack in city – insurgents in ANSF uniforms

BREAKDOWN OF INCIDENTS REPORTED FOR AFGHANISTAN IN SSSI DSR FOR PERIOD 28 TO 29 MAY 10

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Table illustrating the number of Killed and Wounded, Captured and Arrested as per the reporting’s of the SSSI DSR.

IM ANSF PSC/FN LN INSURGENTS KIA WIA MIA KIA WIA MIA KIA WIA MIA KIA WIA MIA KIA WIA MIA 01 May 2 0 0 4 17 0 3 2 0 1 0 0 15 4 8 02 May 0 0 0 0 7 0 2 2 0 2 9 0 14 4 1 03 May 1 3 0 7 1 2 2 3 3 8 20 3 1 3 4 04 May 2 5 0 2 11 2 1 0 0 3 5 0 5 4 11 05 May 2 3 0 1 7 0 0 0 0 6 2 6 18 6 3 06 May 3 29 0 1 6 7 0 0 0 3 23 0 32 8 12 08 May 1 1 0 2 4 0 1 2 0 3 2 7 6 0 6 09 May 0 3 0 5 8 1 0 0 0 15 29 6 22 0 8 10 May 4 6 0 3 3 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 10 3 5 11 May 1 4 0 2 9 0 1 4 0 11 4 2 17 2 12 12 May 0 5 0 5 10 4 0 0 0 12 25 3 34 20 21 13 May 3 1 0 4 5 0 0 3 0 1 7 0 5 10 0 15 May 1 0 0 1 5 3 1 2 0 14 0 0 22 10 6 16 May 0 3 0 10 5 0 1 0 0 4 3 1 76 15 13 17 May 3 4 0 9 29 0 5 1 0 18 7 8 12 4 7 18 May 5 12 0 8 25 0 0 0 0 2 3 5 38 23 3 19 May 6 5 0 6 12 0 1 2 0 15 47 2 11 1 26 20 May 2 8 0 10 20 0 0 1 0 5 4 6 22 6 8 22 May 0 3 0 2 8 0 6 7 0 1 5 1 5 3 1 23 May 2 16 0 6 16 0 0 0 0 5 14 0 6 6 1 24 May 0 0 0 5 3 0 0 0 0 7 0 4 13 0 18 25 May 2 4 0 1 4 0 0 1 0 17 12 7 25 43 6 26 May 0 2 0 2 11 0 0 1 0 1 11 2 3 2 9 27 May 0 0 0 0 9 0 1 0 0 2 6 2 16 2 4 28 May 1 5 0 6 13 2 0 0 0 14 4 3 38 36 0 29 May 1 2 0 6 3 0 0 0 0 2 17 2 32 9 3 TOTAL 42 124 0 104 251 21 25 31 3 174 259 70 498 224 196

(Kindly note that these are from the SSSI DSR and are not official statistics and may differ from those released by ISAF or other agencies and organisations.)

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SECURITY INCIDENTS REPORTED FOR PERIOD 28 TO 29 MAY 10

CENTRAL REGION

Ordinance Recovered: 26 May, , – During the evening the ANSF located and seized a BM-12 rocket set up to be fired into the Kabul City. Remark. Over the past few days a number of similar reports were received. This must be read against the background of the coming Peace Jirga.

Attack: 26 May, Kabul Province, – During the evening insurgents attacked a Police checkpoint with SAF. No casualties were reported.

Insurgency: 27 May, Kabul Province, Kabul City – Another Threat Warning was received on possible spectacular attacks that may occur during the Peace Jirga in Kabul from 02 to 04 Jun 10. Remark. It is possible that insurgents would plan to conduct suicide attacks over the mentioned period, or even in the run up to the event, as there will be a high presence of international media in the city to cover the events.

IED: 23 May, , Onabeh District – During the day the Police located and defused an IED in a culvert. Three suspected insurgents were arrested.

Ordinance Recovered: 25 May, Parwan Province, Koh-E Safi District – During the day an ANSF patrol located and seized a rocket that was set up for an attack on the Baghram Air Base.

Ordinance Recovered: 25 May, Parwan Province, Bagram District – During the day a joint IM/ANSF patrol located and seized a cache in the Tukhchi Area, containing of 2 x AT mines and 15 x Hand Grenades. Privileged and Confidential 4 This information is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. You are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this information is strictly prohibited without the explicit approval from StrategicSSI Management. Strategic SSI - Afghanistan

IED: 25 May, , Tagab District – During the afternoon a vehicle transporting workers of a road construction company detonated an IED. No casualties were reported.

Ambush: 26 May, Kapisa Province, Tagab District – During the morning insurgents ambushed an IM vehicle patrol with SAF. The IM launched a counter attack, killing an undisclosed numer of casualties to the insurgents. No IM casualties were reported. Remark. As the exact casualty figures were not reported, no insurgent casualties were included in the statistics.

Crime: 25 May, , Ashtarlay District – During the day it was reported that a group of armed men in the Tesqol Area were involved in a series of criminal incidents, including armed robbery, malicious wounding and kidnapping for ransom. Remark. These incidents are most probably criminal related and not linked to the insurgency.

Ordinance Recovered: 25 May, Wardak Province, Daymardad Area – During the day a Police patrol located and seized a cache containing an AT mine, seven mortar bombs and a considerable quantity of small arms ammunition.

Attack: Wardak Province, Jaghathu District – During the day insurgents attacked a Police patrol with SAF. No casualties were reported.

IED: 26 May, , Mohamed Agha District – During the morning insurgents fire a single rocket towards the District Administrative Area. Na casualties were reported.

IED: 27 May, Logar Province, – During the day the Police located and defused an IED in the Qala-Ye Khan Area.

IED: 27 May, Logar Province, – During the morning an IM vehicle detonated an IED in the Dasht-E Timur Area. No casualties were reported.

Attack: 25 May, , – During the morning insurgents attacked an IM vehicle patrol. No casualties were reported.

Ambush: 25 May, Ghazni Province, – During the morning insurgents ambushed a Police vehicle patrol with SAF. No casualties were reported.

Ambush: 26 May, Ghazni Province, Andar District – During the morning insurgents ambushed an IM vehicle patrol with SAF in the Nanai Area. No casualties were reported.

Ordinance Recovered: 26 May, Ghazni Province, – During the day the ANSF located and seized a substantial cache in the Ghazni city, containing a large amount of various grenades, unspecified projectiles and small arms.

IDF Attack: 26 May, Ghazni Province, Ghazni District – During the night of 26/27 May insurgents launched four rockets into the Qala-Ye Qazi Area of the Ghazni City. Two LN children were WIA.

IED: 26 May, Ghazni Province, Ghazni District – During the morning an explosion was observed inside the Qari Ahmadullah Madrassa. In the follow up of the incident the Police found a wounded insurgent. He was constructing a pressure-cooker IED which prematurely detonated.

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Attack: 26 May, Ghazni Province, Deh Yek District – Late during the afternoon insurgents attacked a Police checkpoint with SAF in the Sulimanzai Area. No casualties were reported.

WESTERN REGION

IED: 26 May, , Muqor District – During the afternoon an ANA foot patrol detonated an IED as they were attempting to defuse the device. One ANA member was WIA.

IED: 26 May, , Golestan District – During the evening an IM vehicle detonated an IED. No casualties were reported.

NORTHERN REGION

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Attack: 26 May, , Baghlan-E Merkezi District – Just after noon insurgents attacked an ANSF checkpoint in the Mangalah Area. No casualties were reported.

Operation: 26 May, Baghlan Province, Baghlan-E Merkezi District – During a joint IM/ANSF operation against an insurgent location seven insurgents were killed and eight more insurgents were wounded and captured.

EASTERN REGION

Insurgency: 25 May, , Bargh-E Matal District – A government spokesman has been quoted stating that approx 300 insurgents under the command of a known Pakistani commander of the Tehrik-E Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have relocated into the district. The insurgents are involved in fighting with the ANSF and local residents. The ANSF have called for reinforcements.

Operation: 27 May, Nuristan Province, Bargh-E Matal District – Afghan and Pakistani media reported that the commander of the TTP insurgents that infiltrated into the district was killed during a fire fight with the Border Police, together with six of his followers. Remark. Although not confirmed, this can be a major blow for the insurgents that infiltrated from Pakistan. Also, it can be seen as a moral boost for the ANSF.

Operation: 27 May, Nuristan Province, Bargh-E Matal District – Fighting between the large group of insurgents that infiltrated from Pakistan continued during the night of 27/28 May. The insurgents are still trying to get control over the Provincial Capital. Roads to the District Administrative Centre are blocked, and the ANSF counter-offensive is supported by IM air assets. There are indications that a high number of insurgents were killed, but no conformation on losses could be obtained.

IDF Attack: 25 May, , – During the night of 25/26 May insurgents launched two mortar bombs towards the District Administrative Centre. No casualties were reported.

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Kidnap: 26 May, Laghman Province, Qaraghai District, Sorkha Khan Area – During the day insurgents kidnapped a government civil engineer and a LN labourer from a project site.

Ambush: 26 May, Laghman Province, Qaraghai District, Sorkha Khan Area – During the afternoon insurgents ambushed an ANA convoy with SAF. One insurgent was KIA, and no other casualties were reported.

IED: 26 May, Laghman Province, Alisheng District – At noon an IM vehicle patrol detonated an IED in the Gol Wateh Area. No casualties were reported.

Attack: 24 May, , Chowkay District – During the day insurgents attacked a LN compound with machine guns and SAF in the Gatu Qaleh Area. One LN was KIA and one more LN was WIA.

Kidnap: 25 May, Kunar Province, Marah Warreh District – During the morning insurgents kidnapped a LN worker of a demining company from his worksite in the Chinar Band Area. Comment. After intervention by the local elders the kidnapped worker was released on 26 May.

Attack: 25 May, Kunar Province, Ghaziabad District – During the morning insurgents attacked a Police checkpoint with machine guns RPGs and SAF. No casualties were reported.

Success: 25 May, Kunar Province, Asadabad District, Asadabad City – During the afternoon the NDS launched an operation against suspected insurgent compounds. The NDS located and seized an undisclosed amount of explosives, two suicide vests, a video camera, and a number of pistols and ammunition.

IDF Attack: 25 May, Kunar Province, Manogai District – During the morning insurgents launched eight mortar bombs towards a Police Station in the Wardesh Area. Two Police members and eight LNs were WIA.

IDF Attack: 25 May, Kunar Province, Manogai District – During the afternoon insurgents launched seven mortars towards an IM installation in the WardeshTangi Area. Eight LN workers were WIA.

Ambush: 25 May, Kunar Province, Ghaziabad District During the morning insurgents ambushed a PSC escorted road construction convoy with SAF in the Bar Sawu Area. No casualties were reported.

Attack: 26 May, Kunar Province, Chowkay District – At noon insurgents attacked a Police checkpoint with SAF and machine guns in the Shankar Area. No casualties were reported.

IED: 25 May, , Bato Kowt District – Just before noon an IED detonated in the Shebgianeh Kheyl Area – possible premature detonation. No casualties were reported.

IED: 25 May, Nangarhar Province, Bato Kowt District – At noon the Police located and defused an IED in the Shebgianeh Kheyl Area.

Ambush: 26 May, Nangarhar Province, – Early during the evening insurgents ambushed an IM vehicle patrol with SAF. No casualties were reported.

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Attack: 27 May, Nangarhar Province, Bato Kowt District – During the morning insurgents attacked an IM contracted fuel tanker with SAF on Highway 7.

VBIED: 27 May, Nangarhar Province, Behshud District – During the morning two vehicles were involved in a road traffic incident at the second ANA gate to the Airfield. After the ANA questioned the drivers one of them ran away. On inspecting the vehicles, one of them was found to be a VBIED. An IM EOD team later defused the device.

IED: 28 May, Nangarhar Province, Beshud District, Highway 7, Jalalabad Ring Road – During the morning a magnetic IED attached to an IM contracted fuel tanker detonated. No casualties were reported.

IED: 28 May, Nangarhar Province, Beshud District, Highway 7, Jalalabad Ring Road – During the morning two insurgents attempted to attach a magnetic IED onto an IM contracted fuel tanker. The IED prematurely detonated, killing both insurgents and setting the fuel tanker alight.

SOUTH EASTERN REGION

IED: 25 May, Paktya Province, – During the day the Police located and defused an IED in the Salat Bagh Area.

IDF Attack: 25 May, , – During the night of 25/26 May insurgents launched five mortar bombs towards the District Administrative Centre. No casualties were reported.

Attack: 26 May, Khost Province, Musa Kheyl District – During the night of 26/27 May a large number of insurgents launched a deliberate attack against the Police deployment at the District Administrative Centre. The insurgents managed to overrun the District Administrative Centre. No reports were received on casualties.

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Ambush: 26 May, Khost Province, Gurbiz District – Early during the morning insurgents ambushed an IM vehicle patrol in the Ghulam Khan Kalay Area. During the fire fight one insurgent was KIA.

Murder: 24 May, , Mata Khan District – During the night of 24/25 May insurgents shot and killed a local resident whom they accused of being an IM spy.

Ordinance Recovered: 25 May, Paktika Province, Mata Khan District – During the day a joint IM/ANSF operation was launched in the Shur Kacheh Area. During the operation 60 x 82 mm Mortar Bombs, 40 x RPG Rockets, 24 x Hand Grenades, some explosives and small arms were seized during the operation.

IED: 26 May, Paktika Province, Owmneh District – During the day the Police located and defused an IED near the District Administrative Centre.

SOUTHERN REGION

Attack: 23 May, , Nad-E Ali District – At dawn on 23 May insurgents attacked a Police Checkpoint with SAF in the Shesh Kalay Area. No casualties were reported.

Attack: 23 May, Helmand Province, Lashkar Gah District – During the evening insurgents attacked a Police Checkpoint with SAF in the Mokhtar Qala Area. No casualties were reported.

IED: 26 May, Helmand Province, – During the evening an IM vehicle detonated an IED. One IM member was KIA.

IED: 26 May, Helmand Province, Marjah District – Just after noon an IM vehicle detonated an IED in the Awai Zhrandeh Area. No casualties were reported.

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Success: 26 May, Helmand Province, Nad-E Ali District – During the night of 26/27 May the IM launched an operation against an insurgent deployment. Fourteen insurgents were KIA. No IM casualties were reported.

Attack: 26 May, Helmand Province, Nahr-E Serraj District, Babaji Area – During the day insurgents got involved in a number of rolling SAF engagements in reaction on a joint IM/ANSF operation in the area. No casualties were reported.

Attack: 26 May, Helmand Province, Nehr-E Serraj District – During the day insurgents launched at least two precision SAF attacks against IM deployments in the area. One IM member was KIA in one of these attacks. Remark. The occurrence of precision attacks in the Nehr-E Serraj District of the Helmand Province is increasing, and it can be expected to flow over to other districts as well. It seems as if the insurgents regard it as a lower risk type of attack.

Attack: 26 May, Helmand Province, Nehr-E Serraj District – During the day insurgents reacted aggressively on ongoing joint IM/ANSF operations in the area, by launching intensive attacks on IM/ANSF patrols. Two IM members were WIA.

Intimidation: 26 May, Helmand Province, Nehr-E Serraj District – Various reports of intensified intimidation against the local inhabitants of the district was received. Remark. The insurgent commanders are likely to step up the intimidation campaign in order to gain more freedom of movement amongst the local populace, as joint IM/ANSF operations in the area placed a margin of restriction on their movements.

Miscellaneous: 27 May, Helmand Province, Marjah and Ned-E Ali Districts – Afghan National Media reported that large numbers of families are leaving the Districts due to the deteriorating security situation. The local residents are caught between the intimidation on the one hand and IM/ANSF operations on the other hand. Insurgents are punishing the local residents for alleged cooperation with the government/IM/ANSF, and the IM/ASNF are searching their houses. According to reports approx 400 families have already left the districts.

IED: 25 May, , Panjwai District – Early during the morning an ANA vehicle detonated an IED in the Khaiber Ghar Area. Two ANA members were KIA.

IED: 25 May, Kandahar Province, Dand District – During the morning the Police located and defused an IED in the Bellend Kalay Area.

Attack: 25 May, Kandahar Province, Panjwai District – During the morning insurgents attacked a Police checkpoint in the Nakhonay Area with SAF. No casualties were reported.

Attack: 25 May, Kandahar Province, Arghandab District – During the afternoon insurgents attacked a Police checkpoint in the Orial Area. Two Police members were KIA.

IED: 26 May, Kandahar Province, Panjwai District – During the morning the Police located and defused an IED in the Baluchan Kalacha Area.

Attack: 26 May, Kandahar Province, Panjwai District – During the morning insurgents attacked a Police Checkpoint in the Nakhonay Kalay Area. The Police responded and killed two insurgents.

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SPECIAL INTEREST NEWS

ADB president inaugurates rail line linking Afghanistan to central Asia UNAMA 28 May 2010

Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Haruhiko Kuroda has inaugurated at Hairatan a 75- kilometer stretch of railway line that connects the Afghan city of Mazar-i-Sharif to the country's bustling northern border with Uzbekistan. "The new rail link between Mazar-i-Sharif and Hairatan will help reduce trade bottlenecks, boost commerce, and speed the flow of much- needed humanitarian assistance," Mr Kuroda said at the opening ceremony in Hairatan on Tuesday. "It represents Afghanistan's emergence as a regional crossroad for trade and commerce and – most importantly – the aspirations of Afghanistan's people to redefine their country's role in the region and in the world." The rail link is being constructed from a US$ 165- million ADB grant and should be completed by the end of this year. It will connect Afghanistan to Uzbekistan's expansive rail network, and to regional markets in Europe and Asia. Future links are planned, which will run across the north and to other parts of the country and region, including Pakistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

Earlier on Tuesday, Mr Kuroda met with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Finance Minister and ADB Governor Omar Zakhilwal, ADB Alternate Governor Abdul Qadeer Fitrat and other senior government officials in the capital, Kabul. In his remarks at an official luncheon, Mr Kuroda said the rail link is a hallmark of the eight-member Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Program (CAREC), which Afghanistan joined in 2005. "Afghanistan is at the heart of CAREC, and ADB's projects in the country's road, rail and energy sectors dovetail perfectly with CAREC's vision of helping Central Asia reap the benefit of its strategic location," Mr Kuroda said.

From 2002 to the end of last year, ADB has provided Afghanistan with approximately US$ 2.1 billion in loans, grants, technical assistance and co-financing. ADB's focus on infrastructure and regional cooperation is primarily demonstrated in the transport and energy sectors. Other major ADB projects in Afghanistan include portions of the North East Power System, which this time last year began bringing a regular supply of electricity into Kabul from Uzbekistan, and rehabilitation and construction of the northern portion of the country's Ring Road.

WEATHER FORECAST

Afghanistan Weather for Sunday 30 May 2010 Kabul Jalalabad Mazar Kandahar Herat

Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear 31° C | 16° C 36° C | 18° C 36° C | 22° C 39° C | 19° C 36° C | 18° C

Farah Khost Kunduz Gardez Fayzabad

Clear Clear Clear Clear Rain 20% 40° C | 26° C 31° C | 18° C 33° C | 20° C 25° C | 11° C 31° C | 9° C

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CALENDAR

02 Jun – 04 Jun 10 - Peace Jirga 19 Aug 10 - National Day. 10 Sep - 11 Sep 10 - Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). 18 Sep 10 - Parliamentary Elections. 16 Nov - 17 Nov 10 - Eid-al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).

Note. Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha may last up to several days, depending on the region.

NEWS / INFORMATION

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty May 28, 2010

The United States military is reported to have suffered its 1,000th death in the eight-year-old war in Afghanistan. AP said its count showed the 1,000th American soldier died today in a roadside bomb attack in southern Afghanistan. The same agency said the death of the first U.S. soldier in Afghanistan occurred early in January in 2002, shortly after the United States launched military operations to oust Afghanistan's former Taliban rulers for harboring Al- Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, who was blamed for orchestrating the September 2001, terrorist hijacking attacks in America.

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Road work continues in volatile South UNAMA 28 May 2010

UNOPS and the Governments of Afghanistan and Australia, through the Australian Government Aid Programme, this month agreed to extend their joint efforts for road construction in Uruzgan, one of the most volatile southern . The tripartite agreement, signed in a ceremony at the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD), calls for the construction of a 1.5-km Ultra Thin Reinforced Concrete Pavement road and 10 related structures, connecting the provincial capital of Trin Kot city to the north.

The project will take a labour-based approach, creating some 5,000 labour days of short- term employment opportunities for local residents in Charmgar village in Trin . The new approach road will benefit a total of 12,000 people living in the catchment area, particularly those living in the adjacent villages, by reducing their travel time to the city from one hour to 20 minutes. “The existing path is so dusty that we have difficulties taking patients to a clinic or sending children to school. This new road is vital for us to solve these problems, and we are grateful for the project, particularly because the construction work really helps the jobless,” said Abdul Raouf, representative of Charmgar village.

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The project will be implemented as part of the National Rural Access Programme (NRAP), a multi-donor programme executed jointly by MRRD and the Ministry of Public Works (MPW) with implementation support from UNOPS. Australia has been supporting NRAP since 2006 and has provided over US$ 6.4 million for road improvements across the country, including in . In 2009, under the NRAP framework, an Australian-funded project rehabilitated 5.6 km of road conditions in the villages of Safidkhar, Sofian and Aabbordeh. The work has been completed successfully, with 17,397 labour days created for the vulnerable members of communities. The NRAP will continue to promote equitable economic growth by ensuring year-round access to basic services and facilities nation-wide, including high risk areas of the country

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Thousands hail Iran role in Afghanistan Press TV May 27, 2010

Reports say thousands of Afghan citizens have staged a rally in the capital of Kabul to protest Western propaganda against Iran. Demonstrators on Thursday slammed Western media for its recent campaign against Tehran. The protesters shouted slogans against the United States, Britain and Israel, a Press TV correspondent reported. They also accused Western groups and media of interference in Afghanistan's domestic affairs.

Earlier in May, a rally was held in Kabul to protest Iran's treatment of Afghan refugees. The Thursday demonstration ended peacefully after couple of hours. Iran's role in the reconstruction and development of Afghanistan has gained significance in recent years. These contributions made Iran one of the major donor states after the removal of the Taliban in 2001. Iran has also invested heavily in the Afghan healthcare system with dozens of Iran- led health projects across Afghanistan underway. Iran has been host to millions of Afghan refugees for decades.

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'Villagers ask for Taliban permit to shop' Press TV May 27, 2010

A former Afghan official says that the Taliban militants are forcing villagers to ask for permission from militants before they can leave villages for Kandahar. "People of this area are victims of the Taliban's slavery. The Taliban are present here around the clock and they have deprived the people of their freedom,” Niaz Mohammad Sarhadi, the former governor of of Kandahar, told Press TV on Thursday. Local people should obtain permission from the Taliban before going to Kandahar in southern Afghanistan to buy goods and food for their families, Sarhadi said.

The comments come as the US-led forces in Afghanistan are preparing to launch their biggest operation yet in Kandahar, hoping to take control of the area from militants. Sarhadi noted that the people of the region fear civilians may be targeted by foreign forces during the operation. “The people are afraid and aim to flee the region before the launch of the operation,” the former governor said. US forces are accused of deliberately targeting civilians in their operations. The US military is currently investigating the recent civilian killings by foreign forces

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ACRONYMS

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