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Fact Sheet: International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan
 
Updated Feb. 14, 2002 Printer-Friendly Version

Eighteen countries are contributing to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), the peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan sanctioned by the UN Security Council (UNSCR 1386) on Dec. 20, 2001: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Great Britain, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, and Turkey. France, Italy, Germany and Britain will be the main contributors. Combined, the ISAF is expected to grow to about 5,000 troops.

Though Canada, Jordan, Malaysia and Argentina have offered troops, Britain has determined that their forces do not correspond to the immediate needs of the ISAF. Canadian Defense Minister Art Eggleton stated that rather than providing an infantry battalion, Canada will contribute by send in 750 troops to Afghanistan in mid-February to support U.S. forces in the Kandahar region.

The ISAF, which will work closely with the United Nations and the Afghan interim government, carries three principal tasks: 1) aid the interim government in developing national security structures; 2) assist the country's reconstruction; and 3) assist in developing and training future Afghan security forces. Rules of engagement will be closely linked to the terms of the military-technical agreement between the British commander, Maj. Gen. John McColl, and the interim government in Afghanistan on Dec. 31, 2001. Under the agreement, the ISAF has "complete and unimpeded freedom of movement throughout the territory and airspace of Afghanistan."

The mission of the ISAF is currently limited to Kabul and its environs. Although Afghan Prime Minister Hamid Karzai indicated that many Afghans are eager to see international peacekeepers throughout Afghanistan, U.S. military officials remain wary of dispatching peacekeepers to other cities while the military campaign is still ongoing. An amendment to the UN resolution would be needed to expand the ISAF's operations beyond the Afghan capital.

Below are details of contributions by the participating countries.

Austria: The country will provide 60 troops. According to Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel, Austrian troops will remain in Afghanistan for six months. About 4.5 million euros have been set aside for Austrian participation in Afghan peacekeeping.

Belgium: According to Belgian authorities, the country will contribute C-130 planes to transport troops and military material.

Britain: With Maj. Gen. John McColl commanding the ISAF, British troops will dominate the ISAF deployment, with up to 1,800 military personnel. The multinational Brigade Headquarters will be centered around the 16 Air Assault Brigade. Britain's Parachute Regiment will also form one of the two infantry battle groups. Troops will also provide engineer, medical, logistics, policing and air transport support. Britain will lead the ISAF for the first three months until leadership is handed over to another country, most likely Turkey.

Bulgaria: The NATO candidate country has offered 20 soldiers to provide logistics support.

Denmark: 48 personnel will participate in a contingent with Germany and the Netherlands. Denmark will provide explosive ordnance disposal specialists.

Finland: Around 50 soldiers will participate in civil operations under the title of Civil Military Cooperation.

France: Around 550 French troops - mostly members of 21st Frejus infantry regiment but also including engineers and members of a flying hospital team - are expected to be deployed. France will provide an infantry unit, reconnaissance squadron and support troops.

Germany: The country is offering a contingent of around 800-1,000, mainly drawn from the 31st Airborne Brigade. Another possibility is for Germany to offer up to 1,200 troops in a joint contingent with Denmark and the Netherlands. Germany will lead the main infantry support.

Greece: The country will send 124 troops in late January in a three-month mission in Afghanistan. Greece will supply engineers, security agents, and two C-130 aircrafts, in addition to personnel and material needed for handling engines.

Italy: Around 350 soldiers will participate in infantry units and an engineer group, and provide air transport support.

Netherlands: Around 150 troops will participate in the German-led infantry battalion.

New Zealand: The only non-European country participating in the ISAF, New Zealand will contribute 25 supplementary soldiers to the mission in February. It will also supply a Hercules aircraft for the World Food Program operating in Afghanistan.

Norway: The country will send four F-16 combat planes and 50 to 70 troops to Afghanistan by the beginning of February. If F-16s are actually used in a military operation, it would mark the first time since World War II that Norwegian planes would have participated in a bombardment mission abroad. Norway also announced on Dec. 18 that it will send explosive ordnance disposal troops to the environs of the airport in Kandahar.

Portugal: The Superior Council for National Defense said Portugal will participate in humanitarian aid operations. It will send one Hercules C-130 with 17 crew members, as well as a team of two physicians, three nurses and three aid workers.

Romania: The country will provide a C-130 Hercules, as well as 48 soldiers for policing and air transport support. Romania is seeking to boost its candidacy to NATO through its participation in the ISAF.

Spain: The country's contribution will grow to around 700 soldiers who will stay for an initial mandate of three months. Spain will provide logistics, helicopter, engineer, air transport, and explosives ordnance disposal support.

Sweden: A group of up to 45 information specialists are likely to be dispatched.

Turkey: The only Muslim country to take part in the ISAF, Turkey will initially deploy 261 soldiers in the first phase. Among them are six officers who will serve at the headquarters of the ISAF. If and when it assumes command of the ISAF from Britain in late March, Turkey will expand its contingent to between 800 and 1,000 personnel, including an infantry battalion. Ankara shares a history of friendly relations with Kabul.

 

By Reyko Huang
CDI Research Analyst

Printer-Friendly Version

 

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