Afghanistan

Taliban losing fight to win hearts and minds in Afghanistan

The man who has been commanding British troops in Helmand has told troops the Taliban are fighting a losing battle to win the hearts and minds of the local people in Afghanistan.

Brigadier James Chiswell, Commander 16 Air Assault Brigade, was speaking ahead of a ceremony at the Brigade headquarters in Lashkar Gah to hand control of UK operations to 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines.

He warned that new troops in Afghanistan face a tough summer with insurgents likely to raise the tempo of attacks.

But local people are increasingly realising the Taliban has "zero to offer" and their "best opportunity for the future" lies with the local authorities.

He said: "Over this last six months there has been a deepening sense of progress on the security front.

"That has played out most importantly in terms of a deepening sense of optimism amongst the local people, and their willingness to put their trust in the state and to reject the Taliban, particularly the intimidation which underpins the insurgency.

"At this point there is a sense of positive momentum but I think we are all cautious in heralding that too strongly. There's no doubt some hard work through the coming summer."

Prime Minister David Cameron has repeatedly stressed his commitment to having all British troops out of combat roles in Afghanistan by 2014/15.

Asked if this was giving encouragement to the Taliban, who could sit and wait it out, Brig Chiswell said: "I don't think that stacks up."

He said the Afghan army and police were getting stronger while the insurgency was weakening, adding: "There comes a point where you can wait but you've lost your moment, and that's how it feels to me."

Brigadier Ed Davis, 3 Commando Brigade, the new commander of Task Force Helmand, said: "We are preparing ourselves for the insurgency to try and reverse the positive momentum that has been generated during the winter.

"We are prepared for some hard and dangerous work over the summer months."

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has announced that Afghan forces are to take control of security in Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand province, in July.

But Brig Davis said the handover was a "process, not an event" and July 21 would mark the formal start of that transition.
He said details of what it will actually mean on the ground are still being worked out.

But the announcement was a "positive sign" which emphasised the improvements in local security to the community.
He said: "I think that gives them confidence which only reinforces their desire to move away from supporting the insurgency and its aims."

Asked if the transition would mean locking the gate and handing over the key, he said: "Absolutely not. We've still got an awful long way to go. Right up until that time (2015) we will be transitioning through a period of partnering, into enabling and ultimately advising."

Brig Chiswell said security in Lashkar Gah was now provided by the ANP (Afghan National Police), which had become a trusted force.

He said: "One is operating in the context of a nation that's had 30 years of pretty significant upheaval. Within that context people tend to live for the day. That's the way they've been for a long time.

"Building that trust and confidence to put their faith in developing state institutions is a process that requires patience, which is why 2014 transition is not an event.

"On the 21st of July Lashkar Gah doesn't flip to full ANSF (Afghan National Security Forces) responsibility.
"It puts it on a more formal step."

Brig Davis said British forces were not talking in terms of "winning the war" against the Taliban.

He said: "This is about us working in partnership with the Afghan government to help them to defeat an insurgency which is threatening the security and prosperity of the country.

"Ultimately success will be in the hands of the Afghan security forces and their government so if anybody is going to win it, it will be them.

"We are just here to assist them. And in so doing protect our own national security interests."

16 Air Assault Brigade lost 21 men during their six-month tour.