FARAH, Afghanistan – Afghan and coalition officials said villagers in Pusht-e Rod district, Farah province, have taken up arms against insurgent forces in their villages during the past month and forced Taliban fighters out of their areas.
Inspired by the community watch programs in Shewan, Masaw, and the Zer-e Koh Valley, coalition officials said the villagers are working with Afghan National Security Forces, partnered with coalition forces, in an effort to maintain the security gains made in the region.
Historically, successful security efforts in Afghanistan have generally required a combination of efforts from the central government using a top-down approach, and efforts from local communities using a bottom-up approach, said U.S. Marine Sgt. Brian Kester, a coalition spokesperson.
“These connections of various levels of Afghan governance are reminiscent of the most recent stable period in Afghanistan’s history, the Musahiban dynasty, which fell between the years 1929-1978,” said Kester.
Pashtun communities have traditionally used a wide array of policing forces, such as: Arbakai, Chalweshtai, Chagha, and Mahali Satoonkay, to police themselves, according to Afghan government officials.
Coalition officials stressed these community watch programs are not militias; instead, they are defensive, village-level policing forces under the control of local shuras and jirgas, with a connection to the Afghan government.
“This is a great example of the determination of the Afghan people working together to remove insurgent threats from their villages and towns,” said Kester.
| Date Taken: |
07.26.2010 |
| Date Posted: |
07.26.2010 13:32 |
| Story ID: |
53399 |
| Location: |
FARAH PROVINCE, AF |
| Web Views: |
188 |
| Downloads: |
173 |
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