DOD SAYS CHANGES IN AFGHANISTAN HELP AFGHAN GOVERNMENT

FROM:  U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 
Societal, Security Changes Give Afghan Government Momentum
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4, 2013 - Societal and security changes in Afghanistan have shifted momentum in the country increasingly in the government's favor, the commander of the International Security Assistance Force Joint Command and U.S. Army's 3rd Corps said Wednesday

Army Lt. Gen. Mark A. Milley spoke to Pentagon reporters via satellite from his headquarters in the Afghan capital of Kabul.

The changes in Afghanistan have been stunning, he said. Milley, who first served in Afghanistan in 2001, said the country had no hope at that time. "If you flash forward to today, you've got a significantly ... much more positive situation on your hands," he said.

From the security standpoint, the general said, the progress has been incredible, as Afghanistan now has more than 350,000 trained and ready security personnel. These forces, "are out there fighting the fight and carrying the load every single day," he said.

"They are capable at the tactical level, every day, day in and day out, and they're proving it over and over and over again in this summer's fighting season – the first summer that they've really and legitimately been in the lead," he added.

The bottom line is the Afghan police and army has been effective in combating insurgents throughout the country, Milley said.

A few reverses took place along the way, the general said, but they were small and short-lived. Afghan security personnel are in the lead throughout the country, Milley told reporters, and are effectively protecting the vast majority of the population.

Afghan forces are planning, coordinating, synchronizing and then executing combat operations every day, Milley said. Afghans lead about 1,000 patrols a day, and just this week led 35 named operations at kandak – battalion – level or above.

U.S., NATO and partner forces do provide support – advisors, close air support, medical evacuation and logistics, Milley said.

The enemy is quantitatively and qualitatively different from the enemy he has seen in previous tours, the general said. "They go by the same names -- Haqqani, Taliban, etc. -- but their capabilities are different," he added.

Enemy tactics are aimed at Afghan forces this fighting season, he said. The enemy relies on roadside bombs, suicide bombings, intimidation and some small-arms attacks. "What they can't do is they can't build," Milley said. "They can't provide an alternative form of governance. They don't have a political agenda that's acceptable to the vast majority of the people of Afghanistan."

That, he said, is because of the societal changes that have occurred in Afghanistan since 2001.

One societal change is communications. Under the Taliban, communications were squashed, and Afghanistan had no free or independent outlets. "Today, there is a press corps here," the general said. "There are 75 TV stations. There are 175 or 180 radio stations throughout this country."

In addition to these sources, Milley said, progress is evident in the explosion of high-speed technologies and what that means to the Afghan people. Millions of Afghans have access to cellphones, high-speed Internet, text messaging and the like, said he noted. "That communication explosion in Afghanistan, in a country of 30 million, is making a difference day in and day out," he added.

Roads are a lifeline in Afghanistan, and more than 24,000 kilometers of road have been built in the nation since 2001. Air transport also has grown, with 52 international airlines now flying in to Kabul, Milley said.

This infrastructure growth is fueled – in part – by a hothouse growth in education, the general told reporters. About 10 million Afghans are enrolled in schools. The literacy rate rose from less than 10 percent in 2001 to more than 28 percent today.

This is not good if you are a member of the Taliban and affiliated groups, Milley said.

"In this country, with this explosion of information, time is on the side of the government of Afghanistan [and] the people that are supporting a progressive Afghanistan, and not on the side of the Taliban," he said.

Almost 70 percent of Afghanistan's population is under 25 years of age, Milley noted, adding that those young people soon will come into positions of significant influence and power. "And I think the days of the Taliban are going to be behind them when that educated group of young people that are in existence today -- that are learning the sciences, the math, and all the social sciences, etc. -- assume positions of responsibility."

Milley said he is optimistic about the future in Afghanistan as long as Afghan forces continue their job of providing security. "If they continue to do that next year and the year after and so on, then I think things will turn out OK in Afghanistan," he said.

ISAF NEWS FROM AFGHANISTAN JULY 10, 2012

Photo:  Security Forces On Watch In Afghanistan.  From:  U.S. Air Force. 
FROM:  AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE
Combined Force Kills Several Insurgents
Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases
WASHINGTON, July 10, 2012 - An Afghan and coalition security force killed several insurgents during a search for the leader of a Taliban attack cell in the Chimtal district of Afghanistan's Balkh province today, military officials reported.

During the operation, a group of insurgents attacked the combined force, officials said. The force returned fire, killing all of the attackers. As the force continued its mission, another armed individual approached and threatened the force, officials said. The armed insurgent was killed by the security force.
Officials said the operation also resulted in the detention of a suspected insurgent and the seizure of multiple weapons.

In operations yesterday:
-- A combined force in the Imam Sahib district of Kunduz province detained a Taliban military chief who specialized in planning and carrying out improvised explosive device and suicide attacks.
-- A coalition airstrike killed an insurgent in Ghazni province's Muqer district.
-- A combined force found and cleared an IED in Ghazni's Giro district.
-- Combined forces killed three insurgents in a firefight, killed four other insurgents during an airstrike, and detained a suspect during separate operations in Ghazni's Ab Band district.
-- A combined force detained an insurgent in Ghazni's Waghaz district.
-- A combined force found and cleared an IED in Ghazni's Qarah Bagh district.
-- In the Barak district of Logar province, a combined force found and cleared two IEDs.
-- A combined force found and cleared an IED in Nangarhar province's Pachir Wa Agam district.
-- In Nangarhar's Nazyan district, a combined force found and cleared an IED.
-- A combined force detained an insurgent in Wardak province's Sayyidabad district.
In a July 7 operation, a combined force detained two Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leaders and two other suspects in the Kunduz district of Kunduz province. The detained IMU leaders were directly involved in the construction of IEDs and their use in insurgent attacks. Both leaders are associated with senior IMU leadership and participated in high-profile suicide attack planning, including a failed attack in January, officials said.

INTERNATIONAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE FORCE JOINT COMMAND NEWS

Photo Credit:  U.S. Air Force
FROM:  AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE
Combined Force Seizes Explosives, Weapons Caches
Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, June 26, 2012 – An Afghan-led, coalition-supported force seized two caches containing chemicals, weapons and improvised explosive device-making components in the Ab Band district of Ghazni province yesterday, military officials reported.

The first cache contained more than 3,300 pounds of chemicals used in the production of homemade explosives, officials said.

The second cache, officials said, contained 120 IED electronic control devices, 30 anti-personnel mines, and five IEDs. All of the materials were destroyed.

In other Afghanistan operations yesterday:
-- A combined force detained several suspected insurgents during a search for a senior Taliban leader in the Kajaki district of Helmand province. The wanted insurgent leader plans, directs and executes attacks against Afghan and coalition forces.

-- A combined force-requested airstrike killed the insurgent leader, Musa -- also known as Baitullah and Qalam -- in the Waygal district of Nuristan province. Musa was associated with both al-Qaida and Taliban forces operating in the Waygal district.

-- A combined force detained one suspect carrying IED-making material in Ghazni province’s Andar district.

-- A combined force detained one suspect in Khowst province’s Khowst district.
-- A combined force detained three suspects in Logar province’s Muhammad Aghah district.

-- A combined force killed four insurgents during a firefight in the Giyan district of Paktika province.

-- Coalition forces killed one insurgent during a firefight engagement in Paktika province’s Bermal district.

-- A combined force discovered a cache containing small-arms ammunition in the Gardez district of Paktika province.

-- A combined force detained one insurgent in Paktika province’s Gardez district.
-- A combined force killed two insurgents during a firefight in Wardak province’s Sayyidabad district.

INTERNATIONAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE FORCE NEWS FOR JUNE 19, 2012

Photo:  Poppy Field In Afghanistan.  Credit:  Wikimedia.

FROM:  AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE

Combined Force Captures Taliban Leader

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases
WASHINGTON, June 19, 2012 - An Afghan and coalition security force detained a Taliban leader in the Nad 'Ali district of Helmand province today, military officials reported.
The insurgent leader was responsible for sniper and improvised explosive device attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in the region, officials said. He also provided support to insurgents in the province and delivered small-arms and vehicles for use in attacks.
The security force also detained multiple suspected insurgents.

In other Afghanistan operations today:
-- An Afghan-led, coalition-supported force detained multiple suspects while searching for a Taliban leader in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province. The Taliban leader is responsible for directing and participating in IED and direct-fire attacks against coalition forces in Kandahar and Helmand provinces.

-- A combined force detained a Taliban leader as well as one other insurgent, and seized IED-making components and an AK-47 rifle in the Gardez district of Paktiya province. The Taliban leader was responsible for building and using IED's in attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He also coordinated the purchase and shipment of weapons and explosives for insurgents.

-- A combined force detained several suspects during a search for a Haqqani leader in the Nadir Shah Kot district of Khost province.


In June 18 operations:
-- In the Shahr-e-Buzurg district of Badakhshan province, a combined force called in an airstrike that killed an Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leader. No civilian property was damaged and no civilians were harmed during the operation.


-- A combined force detained several suspects and seized multiple small-arms and ammunition in the Yaftal-e Sufla district of Badakhshan province.


-- A combined force killed four insurgents during a search for a Haqqani explosives expert in the Mota Khan district of Paktika province. The force also detained one suspect and seized multiple assault rifles, grenades and a suicide vest.


In June 17 operations:
-- A combined force called in an airstrike that killed several Taliban leaders during an operation in Nangarhar province in eastern Afghanistan.
In June 16 operations:


-- A combined force detained several suspects and seized 3,300 pounds of opium and 5,500 pounds of ammonium chloride, a chemical used to refine opium into heroin, in the Northern Musa Qal'ah district of Helmand province. The opium, chemicals and drug-processing equipment were destroyed.