Afghans take the lead

From the MoD:

Afghan forces to take on security lead for Nad 'Ali

A Military Operations news article

28 Nov 11

Afghanistan's own forces will take lead responsibility for delivering security in a number of new areas across the country, it was announced yesterday, including the Nad 'Ali district of Helmand province where British forces operate.

Afghan soldiers in Nad 'Ali pose for a photograph following the successful completion of Operation TORA GHAR 15, their first major independent operation, which took place in March 2011 [Picture: Crown Copyright/MOD 2011]

The latest phase of the transition process, announced on Sunday 27 November 2011 by Afghan President Hamid Karzai, demonstrates continuing progress in the development of the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF). Training the Afghans to lead on security across the country is now the main effort of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) troops.

Building up the ANSF capability so that they can prevent Al-Qaeda from operating freely in Afghanistan and posing a threat to us and to our allies around the world will allow British combat forces to draw down gradually.

Across Afghanistan, the announcement means that Afghan forces will soon have lead responsibility for the security of almost half of the country's population. All of Afghanistan will have begun the process of transition by the end of 2013 and the ANSF will be leading on security operations in all provinces by the end of 2014....

Much more on this latest progress here.