NATO takes command of Isaf in Afghanistan
The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) has taken over operations to provide peace and stability in Afghanistan.
NATO is taking over control of the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) from Germany and the Netherlands in a ceremony in the country’s capital Kabul.
This is the first time that NATO has commanded an operation of this type outside the Euro-Atlantic area.
At a ceremony held in Kabul and attended by Afghan President Hamid Karzai and NATO’s Deputy Secretary General Alessandro Minuto Rizzo, the alliance formally assumed a leadership role in Isaf, a UN-mandated force tasked with helping provide security in and around Kabul.
According to Isaf’s operational commander, General Sir Jack Deverell, the step was described as ‘a milestone in NATO’s development representing a real break from the NATO of the past to an alliance which is more relevant and has greater utility in the uncertain security environment of the future.’
There are around 5,000 soldiers under Isaf’s control who come from 31 different countries. NATO nations provide 90% of the troops in the country with the UK providing around 300.
NATO is expected to stay in command of the force indefinitely as it removes the problem of trying to find a new country to assume the leadership of the mission every six months.
There has been calls for the UN mandate’s remit in Afghanistan to be extended so that Isaf can provide security across the whole country rather than just the capital. There has been an increase in attacks from the Taleban in the country especially on government and those connected with foreign aid agencies.
