15 Jan. 2004

More weapons handed over in Afghanistan Links ISAF website On 15 January, Afghanistan’s militia forces began handing over their heavy weapons to the government, as part of an ongoing, NATO-supported weapons collection programme. Under the programme, heavy weapons belonging to various armed factions in Afghanistan are deposited at a special storage site near the capital Kabul. This includes artillery, tanks and other major military hardware. Once deposited, the equipment cannot be moved from the storage site without the agreement of both the Afghan Ministry of Defence and the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). The handover began in December, when factions based in the Panjshir Valley moved their weapons, including surface-to-surface missiles, rockets, tanks, and artillery pieces to the site. Under the second transfer, currently taking place, Afghan Militia Forces are handing in weapons that were previously deployed in and around Kabul. “ The handover is a crucial step forward toward the enhancement of stability, and the creation of a safe and secure environment for the Afghan people,” said NATO spokesman Jamie Shea. “Not only will these weapons no longer be available to the various factions, but most of these weapons will eventually be used to equip the new Afghan National Army, the creation of which will vastly strengthen the government’s authority.” The programme is run by the Afghan Transitional Authority and the Ministry of Defence with the support of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).