NATO-led and Afghan forces have the initiative in Kandahar, says southern Afghanistan Commander

With more than 35,000 troops under his command, General Carter explained how the Kandahar operation is a key part of a "deliberate counter-insurgency operation”. It aims to remove the insurgent threat that is contributing to the lack of good governance in the City of Kandahar, essentially causing a disconnect between the population and the Government.

Kandahar is also a strategically important and historical, Pashtu-dominated area, where "corruption, gang-law and patronage” has created an environment where “insurgents can flourish”, he said. 

The city of Kandahar, with a population of more than 500 000, is a key stop along Afghanistan’s major “Ring Road” that connects several major Afghan cities. The nearby River Arghandab also hosts a number of rural irrigation projects that together with the road system has the economic potential to improve the livelihood of many Afghans.

Efforts not only aim to secure the Kandahar region from insurgents, but also to support the local population by improving, for example, land registration and services such as electricity, which are crucial for development. Another key aim is to enhance local governance through a system of representative shuras that help to connect the Government with the people of this southern province.

Regarding building Afghan capacity, General Carter said the country’s Security Forces, trained and mentored by NATO forces, have already made significant progress in clearing key districts around Kandahar city, such as Arghandab, Zharay and Panjwa'i, where insurgents operate from havens.