KABUL, Afghanistan – Families driven out of the Helmand villages of Popalzai, Esserzai and Adamzai by insurgent activity are on their way back home after the success of Operation Oqab Jorawel, or Eagle’s Build.
The operation was conducted by Combined Force Lashkar Gah, a group of Afghan and British forces led by The Royal Highland Fusiliers.
The operation began in October with limited and specific objectives: to provide security to allow improvement and expansion work to take place on the construction of Route Trident. Under the operation, this key road linking the cities of Lashkar Gah and Gereshk would be extended across the Loy Mandeh River.
“Op Oqab Jorawel started with relatively limited aims, but as we started to dominate the area, it became apparent that we had a significant opportunity to clear this difficult area of enemy-held terrain and, subsequently, allow local people within the area to move into protected communities,” said Lt. Col. Dougie Graham, 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland commander.
In recent days, families have begun moving back to the settlements which had been all but abandoned. Assisted by a British-funded tractor, more families are returning every day and shops in the area have reopened.
“The increase in population in the villages means more workers, more shop owners, more people buying produce,” said Cpl. James Thomson, 2 Scots influence non-commissioned officer. “There has been a marked increase in traffic on Route Ayrshire, and many more motorcycles carrying women and children on the back.
The road and bridge works are now complete providing the area with a new, modern highway, not only with a greater reach, but specifically designed to prevent the emplacement of roadside bombs.
In addition to the three abandoned villages close to Route Trident, the insurgent presence has been driven out or destroyed in nearby Khan Kheyl, Tabilla and Quelp East as well as along Route Ayrshire, once such an insurgent haven that it was known as “Taliban Road.” Across the area there has been a 90-percent reduction in attacks and violent incidents.
The operation saw a major expansion of the Afghan National Police’s presence in the area as five coalition checkpoints were handed over to Afghan control. In addition, three new national police checkpoints were established.
“Instrumental to (the success of the operation) was the willingness of the Afghan National Security Forces in the area to lean into the risk and swiftly set up the new checkpoints that ensured we could hold the ground we had taken,” said Graham.