Afghanistan: foreign troop numbers

The latest foreign troop numbers serving in Afghanistan were released by NATO on 4th March 2011.

The United States is the largest contributor of troops with more than 100,000 personnel in Afghanistan, split between NATO (90,000) and Operation Enduring Freedom (10,000).

According to the latest data provided by NATO, these are the other contributors:

Britain: 9,500

Germany: 4,909

France: 3,979

Italy: 3,815

Canada: 2,900

Poland: 2,527

Turkey: 1,799

Romania: 1,726

Australia: 1,550

Spain: 1,499

Georgia: 924

Denmark: 748

Bulgaria: 608

Belgium: 528

Sweden: 500

Hungary: 483

Czech Republic: 463

Norway: 413

Croatia: 299

Slovakia: 296

Albania: 257

South Korea: 246

New Zealand: 236

Netherlands: 197

Lithuania: 188

Finland: 165

Macedonia: 163

Estonia: 158

Latvia: 136

Greece: 132

Portugal: 114

Azerbaijan: 94

Slovenia: 79

Mongolia: 62

Singapore: 48

Bosnia: 45

Armenia: 40

Montenegro: 36

United Arab Emirates: 35

Malaysia: 30

Ukraine: 20

Luxembourg: 9

Ireland: 7

Austria: 3

Iceland: 2

NATO airstrike kills four Afghan security guards

Kabul - A NATO airstrike killed four guards working for a private security company in southern Afghan province of Helmand, officials said Wednesday 2nd March.

One more guard was injured in the strike in Gerishk district on Tuesday, said Mohammad Hakim Andar, provincial police chief. The men were providing security for a road construction firm in the region, he said.

Major Michael Johnson, spokesman for the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), said a joint investigation with Afghan officials was underway into incident.

The military engaged a group of suspected militants in the area after an ISAF ground patrol was attacked, Johnson said.

'Following the engagement we heard allegations that four security guards were killed,' he said.
'Friendly fire' casualties are not rare in southern Afghanistan. where the militants often operate in the vicinity of local forces.

Taliban are still most active in Helmand and neighbouring Kandahar, despite a reduction in their presence after major operations by NATO forces in the region last year.

Source: Deutsche Presse-Agentur

Five foreign troops killed in 48 hours

Five foreign coalition troops have been killed throughout Afghanistan in the last two days.

Today (28th Feb) an Italian officer, Lieutenant Massimo Ranzani, was killed in an IED attack in Shindand, western Afghanistan.

Also killed today (28th Feb) were two unidentified NATO/ISAF service members in eastern Afghanistan.

On Sunday (27th Feb) an unidentified NATO/ISAF service member died in eastern Afghanistan and another was killed in southern Afghanistan.

More details at Fallen Heroes

Taliban leader caught by ANS and ISAF Forces

KABUL, Afghanistan (Feb. 26, 2011): Afghan National Security and International Security Assistance Forces detained the overall Taliban leader for Zharay district along with numerous suspected insurgents during an operation in Kandahar province yesterday.

The leader organized and coordinated Taliban attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in the district. He was actively recruiting replacements for two top Taliban leaders who were detained during recent operations. The leader recently returned from Chaman, Pakistan in preparation for the spring fighting season. He had strong ties to Taliban leaders in the area to include the Taliban deputy Kandahar district shadow governor.

Intelligence reports led the security force to the targeted compound in the district, where Afghan forces called for all occupants to exit the buildings peacefully before conducting a search. The Taliban leader and numerous suspected insurgents were detained after initial questioning at the scene for involvement in insurgent activity.

Insurgent leader captured in Uruzgan

Kabul (25th Feb 2011): Afghan National Security and International Security Assistance Forces today, confirmed the capture of an insurgent leader responsible for improvised explosive devices attacks in Uruzgan province.

The detained insurgent is suspected of being the head of a Baluchi IED cell responsible for attacks on Afghan and coalition forces in Baluchi Valley, Uruzgan province.

ISAF soldier killed in eastern Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan (Feb. 17) – An International Security Assistance Force service member died following an insurgent attack in eastern Afghanistan today.

No further details are available at this time. 

Source: ISAF Command, Kabul