Progress visible in Baluchi Valley

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

01.30.2009

Courtesy Story

International Security Assistance Force HQ Public Affairs

By the International Security Assistance Force - Afghanistan Public Affairs Office

KABUL, Afghanistan – Governor Assadullah Hamdam was joined by roughly a hundred local leaders for a Shura in Uruzgan's Baluchi Valley, Jan. 28. Shura participants discussed the way forward for the future of the Baluchi Valley following the success of Operation Tura Ghar, an Afghan national security force-led operation to clear the area of insurgents.

Governor Hamdam adopted a posture of reconciliation towards people who in the past supported the Taliban, but who are now supportive of the Afghan government. Hamdam called for mutual cooperation among the locals.

Members of the International Security Assistance Force's Uruzgan Provincial Reconstruction Team also attended the Shura and offered support to the local population of the Baluchi Valley. The civil representative took the opportunity to introduce the PRT mission team as well as members of some non-governmental organizations.

"I clearly see a more positive and relaxed attitude towards the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and ISAF after Operation Tura Ghar," said Col. Kees Matthijssen, commander of Task Force Uruzgan. "Together, we were able to bring greater security to the region, and conditions now offer the opportunity for economic and urban development."

Following Operation Tura Ghar, ISAF engineers began the construction of a new patrol base to provide an enduring presence of security forces in the valley.

• Date Taken: 01.30.2009
• Date Posted: 01.30.2009 15:22
• Story ID: 29473
• Location: KABUL, AF