Here are two NATO releases about the so-called takeover of a district in Afghanistan by the Taliban.

Commander gave an appreciation of the operations in Arghandab district and the life in Kandahar City

The Afghan-government-led operation to reinforce security in Kandahar City and Arghandab district continues to be successful. Over the past few days, Afghan National Security Forces have increased their presence in the region in order to calm the fears of the local population and protect against potential attacks from our adversaries.

Kandahar City continues to enjoy relative calm. Today (June 18) I spoke with Elissa Golberg, the Representative of Canada in Kandahar, who spent a good deal of time in the Provincial Capital. She indicated that life is slowly returning to normal in the city. Some stores were open and more citizens were out on the streets than have been in recent days. Afghan forces will continue to maintain a strong presence in the city, which we believe will further bolster the confidence of the local population. The Afghan National Police were also able to find and dismantle several more IEDs in the city today, indicating that their operating procedures are working and that civilians are continuing to inform them of insurgent activities.

Over the past few days Afghan and ISAF troops have been working to further define Taliban locations in Arghandab district. We know insurgents are in the area, but they do not have the numbers or the foothold that they previously claimed. Our assessment is that moderate numbers of insurgents have simply taken refuge in the lush surroundings of the district, and are stirring up fears among the local population.

Today, we commenced action against the insurgents in Arghandab. Afghan National Army troops, reinforced by ISAF, including Canadian soldiers, crossed the Arghandab river this morning and began the removal of the Taliban from the region. Our joint forces were met with moderate resistance, which we expected and unfortunately resulted in several ANSF casualties. I am pleased to report that we have secured objectives on the west bank of the Arghandab river, and have demonstrated that the coalition has freedom of movement when and where desired.

We continue to conduct operations in various locations around Kandahar Province as we regain the initiative from the insurgents. The Afghan Government and Afghan National Security forces, supported by ISAF, have devised a comprehensive plan to deal with recent threats to security. Our partners continue to develop their levels of capability and we are proud to be fighting alongside them in order to assure the future security of the Afghan people.

Citizens may return to Arghandab

The citizens of Arghandab district who recently left under the pressure of the insurgents may return to their homes, according to the ISAF spokesperson.

There is no crisis,” said Brigadier General Carlos Branco. “Both Afghan and ISAF forces have cleared the Arghandab district and have created a safe and stable environment in the region.”

ISAF officials estimate that about 700 Arghandab families fled the district toward Kandahar city to stay with family and friends. When Afghan and ISAF units moved into the area, they encountered only minor incidents with insurgents and never met or spotted the large numbers of insurgents as claimed.

Shortly after the first 24 hours of Operation Doar Bukhou (Turn Around), the Afghan and ISAF commanders declared the entire district safe and secure.

During the operation, Afghan National Police also found and dismantled several IEDs around Kandahar city.

The Afghan National Police’s “operating procedures are working, and civilians are continuing to inform them of insurgent activities,” Branco said. “It is clear that Kandahar city continues to enjoy relative calm and remains firmly under the control of the Afghan government and its people.”

The general added that Afghan National Security Forces, supported by ISAF, continue to increase security in and around Kandahar city and the Arghandab district.