Report on Progress Toward Security and Stability in - United States ...

The relationship between ISAF and the Afghan Government and its security forces endured
significant shocks during the reporting period stemming from: the video release of U.S. Marines
defiling corpses presumed to be Taliban fighters; the inadvertent burning of religious materials,
including the Holy Quran, by U.S. personnel at Bagram Air Base; "green-on-blue" attacks in
which members of the ANSF killed ISAF personnel, such as the killing of two U.S. military
officers at the Afghan Ministry of Interior; and the killing of seventeen Afghan civilians in
Panjwa’I District, Kandahar Province, allegedly by a lone U.S. Soldier. Although widespread
demonstrations sparked by the Quran burnings triggered violence that led to the death of several
Afghan citizens, the vast majority of ANSF personnel across the country responded
professionally and played a critical role in managing the demonstrations, containing violence,
and protecting both Afghan citizens and numerous ISAF and international community facilities
and personnel. The effective ANSF response, conducted in accordance with training,
demonstrated preparedness to respond to unexpected challenges, commitment to mission, and
durability in the relationship with ISAF that withstood impassioned calls by demonstrators to
exact retribution amidst a highly charged environment.
KEY MILESTONES (OCTOBER 1, 2011 – MARCH 31, 2012)
The continuing decline in year-over-year violence (as measured by enemy-initiated attacks) was
the most significant security-related development during the current reporting period. After five
consecutive years in which enemy-initiated attacks increased sharply, enemy-initiated attacks
decreased by 9 percent in 2011 compared to 2010, and decreased by 16 percent in 2012 (as of the
end of this reporting period) compared to 2011.
ANSF force growth and training efforts yielded significant operational improvements during the
reporting period, and the operational partnership between the ANSF and ISAF remains strong.
The ANSF, now responsible for leading security for almost half of Afghanistan’s population,
partners with ISAF on nearly 90 percent of all coalition operations, of which the ANSF is the
lead for more than 40 percent of those partnered operations. Additionally, the number of Afghan
National Army (ANA) and Afghan National Police (ANP) units rated as “Independent with
Advisors” increased substantially over the last six months. As of September 2011, no ANP unit,
and only one ANA kandak, 2
had been rated as “Independent with Advisors.” As of the end of the
current reporting period, 13 ANA kandaks and 39 ANP units had achieved this rating. These
ratings are regularly substantiated by the field performance of the ANSF, which continues to
exceed expectations.
Military progress throughout the country and the continued growth and development of the
ANSF during this reporting period have enabled ISAF to transfer lead security responsibility to
the ANSF. The inaugural tranche of areas for transition, announced in March 2011, have
steadily progressed during this timeframe. In October 2011, Afghan President Hamid Karzai
announced the second tranche of provinces, districts, and cities for transition to Afghan security
lead. As of March 31, 2012, 20 of 34 provinces had either transitioned entirely or contained
districts and cities undergoing transition, accounting for approximately 50 percent of
Afghanistan's population. As of publication, discussions are ongoing to designate additional
2 “Battalion"
2