Afghan national army 207th Corps soldiers distribute blankets, clothing, food and winter survival supplies to Safidbarah villagers, Feb. 19. The mission was a combined effort by ANA 207th Corps of Camp Zafar and International Security Assistance Force Spanish Operational Mentor Liaison Team of Regional Command-West.

Members of the Afghan National Army (ANA) 207th Corps of Camp Zafar, assisted by the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Spanish Operational Mentor Liaison Team (OMLT) of Regional Command-West, delivered food and supplies to the village of Safidbarah in western Afghanistan, 19 February.

The combined team arrived at the village and was greeted by more than 30 families from the area. The ANA delivered more than 500 sets of winter clothes and distributed cooking oil, rice, beans, sugar, and blankets to needy families to help sustain them as the winter months come to an end.

“The ANA is formed from the different Afghan tribes,” stated Major Norul-Haq, the Garrison Director of Education, in a speech made during the distribution. “Day and night we are trying to bring peace, security and stability to the region and to the innocent people of Afghanistan. The Afghan National Army will fight until the last drop of their blood to protect the autonomy and national honour of this country.”

After Norul-Haq’s speech, an elder from the village thanked the 207th Corps for their efforts toward improving the security situation in the region. He also expressed his appreciation for the goods and supplies that were given to the poorer families of Safidbarah village.

The mission came just at the right time for the villagers. The end of winter tends to be a difficult time as stores of supplies gathered over the spring and summer have already been consumed. The donation made by the ANA and ISAF will help fill the gap until crop yields in the area are harvested in the spring. During the delivery, the villagers promised to assist and support the ANA and Afghan National Police and other governmental forces in the region.

“The 207th Corps of Camp Zafar is not only here for security in the region, we also assist the Afghan people in each and every aspect of their lives,” stated Sergeant Fathe Noori, public affairs officer for the corps. “We take honour in assisting them with their needs.”

ISAF

ISAF explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) teams disposed of approximately 2,500 projectiles such as artillery shells, mortar projectiles and cartridges from an old Soviet ammunition depot near the Qala-e Naw local airport recently.

The specialised team conducted three controlled explosions to safely dispose of 13 anti-personnel mines and about 680 kilograms of explosives to clear the nearly 46-hectare area that will become the building site for new Afghan National Army troops’ barracks.

Two tons of scrap iron and 14 Soviet armoured wrecks were also removed.

Since January 2008, ISAF EOD teams in western Afghanistan have destroyed huge quantities of ordnance, including hand and rifle grenades, shoulder-fired rockets, sub munitions, anti-personnel and anti-tank mines, mortar projectiles and propelled cartridges.

The disposal of such hazardous ordnance lowers potential risks to the population and is just one way ISAF can help ensure security to assist in provincial development.

Local nationals are also encouraged to report illegally-kept weapons and explosives to Afghan National Security Forces.

ISAF

CNEWS

HERAT, Afghanistan (AP) – From cheap ice cream to 24-hour electricity, Iran is strengthening economic ties with western Afghanistan that could undermine support for U.S. and NATO forces.

Western Afghanistan has a newly paved 120-kilometre stretch of highway between the Iranian border and its main city, Herat, courtesy of the Islamic republic. Iran is also considering building a rail line on the busy route and has pledged the equivalent of another C$640 million to help rebuild Afghan infrastructure and businesses.

“Iran is not going away from here,” a Herat-based western diplomat said.

“The question is whether we can co-exist in this region together and realize that some of our aims might even be the same when it comes to Afghanistan.”

Tehran has built 10 schools and several clinics in western Afghanistan, and paid for the equipment to provide electricity 24 hours a day in Herat, unlike in most other parts of the country, including the capital Kabul.

Iranian influence dates back to ancient times and, while dependent on U.S. military and financial support, the Afghan government tries not to antagonize Iran, which currently houses about two million Afghan refugees.

“Our hope is for Afghanistan to be peaceful and stable because that would be good for the region,” said an Iranian diplomat in Kabul, speaking on condition of anonymity.

“Everyone wants a stable neighbour.”

If Iran and the United States are at odds, Defence Ministry spokesman Gen. Zahir Azimi said, “we will stay out of it.”

Local political analyst Mohammed Rafiq Shaeir said Iran wants greater influence in western Afghanistan to promote its own national interests, both security and economic.

“The people of Herat have doubts about why Iran is putting so much attention into this area but they still recognize that it is good for our own national interests and security in the region to have friendly relations with Iran,” Shaeir said.

Saeed Laylaz, a prominent political analyst in Tehran, said Iran is investing in Afghanistan chiefly for its own national interests, rather than to counter western influence.

“Regardless of presence of the NATO forces there, Iran has been always suffering from lack of stability in Afghanistan,” Laylaz said in a phone interview.

“An unstable Afghanistan would cause difficulties for Iran.”

For many people in historic Herat, famous for its mosques and minarets, Iran’s largesse is a mixed blessing.

Shopkeeper Mohammed Aref said low-price Iranian ice cream harms local producers, which make products of the same quality that are, however, more expensive.

“I cannot compete with them,” said Zamarai Qhousi, who owns a marble works, plastic utensils factory and foodstuffs packaging plant in Herat’s Industrial Park.

“Iranian producers are state-subsidized and people go for cheaper goods.”

More at the link