Confidence amongst locals slowly building in Helmand despite Taliban intimidation
31 Mar 10
There is a strong sense of continued progress on the ground in Helmand Province although there are signs that the Taliban are increasingly turning to tactics of intimidation of the local population.
Captain John Donaldson entertains local children whilst on a foot patrol in Nad 'Ali District, Afghanistan
[Picture: Staff Sergeant Mark Jones, Crown Copyright/MOD 2010]
The intimidation is something which local commanders are taking extremely seriously, the UK's military spokesman on Afghanistan, Major General Gordon Messenger said today in a briefing to the media on the campaign.
Examples of the intimidation include exhorting money from local people working in the cash for work programmes or threatening to burn the stalls of shop keepers in the many new bazaars opening up in the region.
General Messenger said:
"This is happening often at night and is something commanders are taking very seriously. Brigadier James Cowan has spoken about how the effort is about creating a ubiquitous presence and this is clearly a key contest.
"As we are seeking the reassurance and loyalty of the local population we can't allow this kind of activity to continue and so it is something that is driving the conduct of operations."
Soldiers of the Grenadier Guards Battle Group and Military Stabilisation and Security Team stop to talk with local workers involved in a regeneration project in the Bazzare area of Shawzad, Helmand province
[Picture: Staff Sergeant Mark Jones, Crown Copyright/MOD 2010]
General Messenger reasserted that Sangin was one of the most critical parts of the operation and was key to securing Helmand as a whole.
As such, increased numbers of Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police are set to be posted to the area in the coming weeks and hopes are high that a new governor and chief of police in the area will reap rewards.
General Messenger said that strikes have killed several insurgents in the process of laying improvised explosive devices in the last week in the Sangin area and the British Forces based there are taking the fight to the enemy with numerous intelligence led search arrests and detentions over recent days.
In the areas that have been cleared and consolidated post Operation MOSHTARAK General Messenger said that there had been a seriously reduced number of incidents precipitated by insurgents.
In particular, General Messenger pointed to the Area of Operations of the Grenadier Guards Battle Group as they come to the end of their time in theatre and said that the number of incidents has decreased by over 80 per cent from the peak during their six month tour.
Soldiers from 1st Battalion The Grenadier Guards man a vehicle checkpoint at Shawzad, Helmand province
[Picture: Staff Sergeant Mark Jones, Crown Copyright/MOD 2010]
He said this was a reflection of the force densities that Operation MOSHTARAK had been able to generate and the increasing degree in which the local population are prepared to back International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF).
Indeed, engagement by the local population has been seen to be increasing significantly, perhaps most tellingly amongst the female population which has been contacting a special confidential hotline in growing numbers and even feeling confident enough to call local radio stations to request songs - a development that is accepted as being a small sign but still something that would have been unheard of just a short time ago.
The confidential hotline for use by the local population to report concerns has overall been receiving 50 to 80 calls a week, which is also seen as a positive sign.
Women have also been seen at local shuras, or community meetings, in increasing numbers as well and this is seen as a positive development in bringing the female population into the reconciliation process.
The wheat seed distribution site in Sangin District Centre
[Picture: Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]
In order to stimulate an agricultural economy in favour of one based on narcotics the ongoing 'Food Zone' wheat seed distribution programme has seen 14,500 people register to participate in the Nad 'Ali area , about 90 oer cent of the quota, with around 10,000 having already collected their seeds.
The registration process for the scheme in Marjah is set to begin on 4 April 2010.
Freedom of movement was also cited as a key area of improvement with greatly increased traffic numbers in Marjah and Nad 'Ali, the areas focussed on in Operation MOSHTARAK.
Looking forward General Messenger said that Kandahar would become a focus of ISAF efforts, but this would largely be focused on strengthening institutions in the city and reducing negative influences.