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Afghanistan
The ISAF peacekeeping force helps maintain security in Afghanistan and contributes to reconstruction. Operation Enduring Freedom is part of the struggle against terrorism. The Netherlands is taking part in ISAF.
Enduring Freedom
Background
The Taliban regime came to power in Afghanistan in the mid-1990s, imposing a rigid version of Islamic law (sharia) which, among other things, enforced the social segregation of women. The Taliban also allowed Osama bin Laden's terrorist network Al Qaida to train in the country.
After the attacks of 11 September 2001 in New York and Washington, the Taliban refused to comply with the Security Council's demands to extradite Bin Laden. As a result, on 7 October 2001, the international operation Enduring Freedom under US leadership began targeting Taliban military positions and Al Qaida training camps.
Dutch contribution
The Netherlands has contributed militarily to Operation Enduring Freedom since 2002. Dutch F16 fighter planes were deployed above Afghanistan from October 2002 to October 2003. In late 2004 a frigate of the Royal Netherlands Navy was stationed in the waters around the Arabian Peninsula.
On 25 February 2005, the Dutch government decided to contribute 250 soldiers to Operation Enduring Freedom. A Special Forces Task Group (SFTG) was deployed in southern Kandahar province from April 2005 to April 2006. This group of 165 soldiers was made up chiefly of members of the Commando Corps, supplemented by marines and an 85-member helicopter detachment.
For the most part, the Special Forces were involved in reconnaissance and intelligence gathering missions, carefully mapping out the area. They also prepared the population for ISAF's arrival. On a few occasions the SFTG saw action in clashes with hostile or criminal elements.
ISAF
Bonn Agreement
At the end of 2001 representatives of the Afghan people met in Bonn at the UN's initiative. The Afghans reached agreement at this meeting on a framework for their country's future political structure and appealed jointly to the international community for aid.
The Afghans also expressed their willingness to work with the international community in the fight against terrorism, drug trafficking and organised crime. The UN Security Council was asked to give a mandate for an international peacekeeping force in Afghanistan. On 5 December 2001, the Agreement was signed at the famous Petersberg Hotel near Bonn.
ISAF's goals
The UN Security Council gave the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan the most robust mandate possible, authorising it to take any measures necessary to carry out its tasks. This means that it can use force if necessary to maintain security in Kabul.
Initially ISAF's most important goal was to support the Afghan interim government, established in Kabul on 22 December 2001, in maintaining security. At first ISAF operated only in Kabul and its immediate vicinity. But a new UN resolution in October 2003 extended its task to other parts of Afghanistan.
The troops are also involved in Afghan reconstruction in various ways. ISAF is helping reconstitute the army and police force, for example. Members of the Dutch army's corps of engineers are also helping rebuild important roads and bridges.
NATO has been in command of ISAF since August 2003.
Dutch contribution
The Netherlands has been involved in ISAF since January 2002. Starting in February 2003 the Netherlands and Germany jointly commanded 4600 troops from different countries for a period of six months. The Dutch share of the mission consisted of about 650 troops. The Netherlands has also contributed Apache helicopters and F16 fighter planes.
The Dutch are also part of the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Baghlan province. Hungary took over this team on 1 October 2006.
On 19 April 2006, the Dutch government decided to send between 1400 and 1600 troops to southern Afghanistan. The main body of Task Force Uruzgan left for Afghanistan on 4 July 2006. The Task Force consists of a total of 1400 soldiers.
On 31 July 2006, Operation Enduring Freedom formally transferred command of Afghanistan's southern provinces to ISAF. The transfer initiated ISAF's third phase and marked the formal start of the Dutch mission in southern Afghanistan.
On 30 November 2007, the Dutch government has decided to renew its contribution to the ISAF mission in Uruzgan for a period of two years after August 2008. The Netherlands will end its military leadership in Uruzgan on 1 August 2010.