Photo By Frank O'Brien | Soldiers from Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker...... read more read more
ZABUL PROVINCE, Afghanistan – District Gov. Mohammed Zareef met with soldiers of the Virginia Army National Guard’s 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team at Forward Operating Base Lagman to discuss his plans for Mizan Sept. 25 after Operation Fairbanks – the successful mission by U.S. forces to reopen the road between Mizan and Qalat.
“It’s a big deal to the people of Mizan that the coalition forces have re-opened the road to Qalat,” said Zareef. “All the people of Mizan say thank you for the checkpoints and bringing security to us.”
Operation Fairbanks was a route-clearing and checkpoint building mission carried out by Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division and other units in collaboration with the Afghan National Army Sept. 17-21. The road, called “Route Chicken”, was cleared of improvised explosive devices, rerouted in places and had four checkpoints built at key locations. The checkpoints, manned by ANA troops, will allow Afghan soldiers to keep the route open and provide security. The road had previously been held uncontested by the Taliban for the past year, strangling the economy of Mizan.
“It used to take four to five hours to get from Mizan to Qalat,” said Zareef. “Now it takes only one hour because of the good checkpoints and security. It’s a big deal that the people of the Mizan District can start businesses and conduct business every minute of every day now. All of the Mizan people appreciate what the U.S. and coalition forces have done for them.”
With the road reopened and security restored, Zareef hopes to bring prosperity to his district by reopening the bazaar which has been closed for many years.
“My top priority is to ask the people to rebuild the bazaar. It’s important,” said Zareef. “My plans include stores and shops so they can make money. Soon, I will be bringing big changes between Mizan and its relationships with the other districts.”
A ceremony to celebrate the re-opening of the road between Qalat and Mizan was held Sept. 29. Provincial Gov. Mohammad Ashraf Nasseri attended and a Shura that was open to the public followed the ceremony and continued throughout the afternoon.
“I have asked 300 leaders from among the Mizan District to meet with ANA and US commanders,” said Zareef. “I will bring the concerns of the Mizan people to the provincial governor. We will work together and try and build a good and peaceful life together in the future.”
| Date Taken: | 09.25.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 10.08.2011 10:40 |
| Story ID: | 78223 |
| Location: | MIZAN DISTRICT, AF |
| Web Views: | 53 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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