New areas being turned over to Afghan forces

By Rod Nordland

SAROBI, Afghanistan

Afghan forces will assume control of their own security in 18 new areas, some of them still troubled by insurgents, bringing half of the country's population under the government's nominal authority, Afghan officials said Sunday.

Unlike the first stage of transition, when places that were already peaceful and for the most part under government control, this one includes many areas where Taliban insurgents remain active. Among the troubled areas being handed off by the NATO-led coalition are central Helmand province, several districts in Wardak province and the Sarobi District, here in the mountains in eastern Kabul province.

Although the district center remains firmly in government hands and has been quiet for two years, the Taliban have continued to carry out attacks on the highway, and insurgents remain active in many remote villages, according to the district governor, Mohammad Haqbeen.

The transition allows the handover to be gradual, and the district police chief, Col. Ahmadullah Oria, said he was counting on continued foreign help.

The transition, which began six months ago, is intended to transfer primary responsibility for the country's security to Afghan authorities by 2014, when U.S. combat troops, and most other NATO forces, are expected to have departed.

When the switch is complete, Afghan authorities will have taken charge of security in four of the five largest cities: Kabul, Mazar-e-Sharif, Herat and Jalalabad. The exception is Kandahar.