British forces in
Afghanistan will hand control of the town of Musa Qaleh in
northern Helmand Province to other ISAF forces over the coming
weeks. The reconfiguration, ordered by ISAF commanders, will
better support General McChrystal's strategy aimed at
winning over the civilian population by protecting them from
Taliban insurgents.
Under the current laydown of forces in Helmand, British forces
are responsible for the protection of 70 per cent of the
population with only 30 per cent of coalition troops. The
rebalancing of forces will improve the ratio of ISAF and Afghan
troops to civilians across Helmand's main areas of
population. This has been made possible by the significant
increase of ISAF forces in Helmand from around 7,700 in 2009 to
over 20,000.
Around 500 UK personnel who have been based in Musa Qaleh will
redeploy to thicken and deepen the British presence in Central
Helmand. This will allow them to better protect the population
while accelerating the growth of Afghan security forces.
The UK will remain the lead for reconstruction, building on the
progress that has already been made by the stabilisation efforts
and will now be militarily supported by US Marine Corps who will
build on the foundations of success that successive British
brigades have achieved.
Major General Nick Carter, Commander, Regional Command South
said:
"The arrival of the first force package ordered by
President Obama prior to Christmas last year enabled Regional
Command (South) to mount Operation Moshtarak. It now allows us to
rebalance all our forces to achieve much improved force densities
in Central Helmand delivering better protection of the Afghan
people and support to governance. As part of this force balancing,
the final unit of force package one will take over Musah Qalah
releasing a British battle group to Central Helmand. This move has
been made possible not just by the uplift of forces but also by
the improving situation in Now Zad and Musa Qaleh."
Secretary of State, Bob Ainsworth said:
"Since British forces entered Musa Qaleh in 2006, there
is no doubt that the town has changed for the better. This is down
to the dedication of successive brigades whose courage and
professionalism, alongside that of their Afghan counterparts and
other ISAF partners, has enabled the district centre to flourish
and improve the lives of the people who live there. They should be
very proud of the progress that has been made.
"We must never forget the 23 brave service personnel who
gave their lives to make Musa Qaleh an area in which Afghans can
go about their daily lives in security and under strong, stable
governance.
"It is essential that ISAF forces of all nationalities
build upon the momentum created by General McChrystal's
plan and the early successes of Operation Moshtarak. There is now
a unity of purpose and the resources to deliver real and lasting
change in Afghanistan so it can stand on its own two feet and
never again become a haven for international terrorism."
UK forces first deployed to Musa Qaleh in summer 2006 since when
dramatic progress has been made. Insurgent activity in the
district centre has been contained and greater security has been
brought to the area - a direct result of the developing
partnership between UK and the Afghan National Army and the Afghan
National Police.
Major Gule Ahmad, Planning Officer for the 3rd Kandak, the ANA
unit based in Musa Qaleh said:
"In two years we have seen more promotion of security in
Musa Qaleh. If you go to another districts in Helmand province
they have two to three kilometres of domination but in Musa Qaleh
we occupy the whole of Musa Qaleh. If you want to go south or
north there are no problems for you so you can travel."
Governance, healthcare, education and employment have all
improved and there has been a tangible increase in commercial
activity in the Bazaar and Livestock market.
Mike McKie, Foreign Office Stabilisation Officer said:
"We're building government offices that will
accommodate the full 'TASHGIL' which is Pashtu
for the government staff that are required. This will be enough
space for the various ministries including the local
administration to carry out their functions. This will be quite a
major project due to start in April. That's giving daily
employment to a team of 170 local people, dismantling the
dilapidated former government building, and they're going
at a rapid rate, it's as if they're as anxious
as we are to put in the civic infrastructure. Coupled with this
there is to be a significant infrastructure project which will
create a Mosque sufficient for 800 worshippers.
"2,300 children are now attending regular education,
where just over two years ago there was none. That's
fairly significant when we consider the population of Musa Qaleh,
by best estimates it is in the region of 65,000"
Speaking ahead of the handover, Lt Col Harry Fullerton,
Commanding O HCR said;
"The important thing to stress is that what they are
taking over is a British success story, British battle
group's have been here over the past years and they have
progressively expanded the area of governance, it hasn't
been without its cost but it has been a cost worth making in order
to deliver success for the British Army, the British Government
and most importantly the people of Afghanistan."
ENDS
Contacts:
Ministry of Defence
NDS.MOD@coi.gsi.gov.uk