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International Security Assistance Force - ISAF 6

ISAF is a UN-mandated operation (United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR's) 1386, 1413, and 1444). ISAF was established to assist the Government of Afghanistan (GOA) in maintaining security within the ISAF Area of Responsibility (AOR) so that GOA and UN personnel can operate in a secure environment.

On April 16, 2003 the North Atlantic Council decided to approve the deployment of NATO troops to Afghanistan to work under the ISAF mandate. On 11 August 2003, NATO assumed the lead of the International Security Assistance Force in a Transfer of Authority Ceremony in Kabul, Afghanistan.

ISAF is operated under the auspices of NATO with Joint Force Command Brunssum in charge of overall operations. The primary role of ISAF is to assist the Government of Afghanistan in providing a safe and secure environment within Kabul and its surrounding areas, which will assist in the reconstruction of a new Afghanistan.

In carrying out this mission, ISAF conducts patrols throughout the 16 different police districts in Kabul and its surrounding areas. Over a third of these patrols are carried out jointly with the Kabul City Police.

ISAF currently runs Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) projects throughout the city, focusing on assessment of the provision of basic human needs such as fresh water, electric, power, and shelter, and by improving the existing infrastructure destroyed by 23 years of conflict. CIMIC is also involved in the rebuilding of medical facilities and the renovation of schools.

Although NATO has taken the reins of ISAF, there are numerous non-NATO nations and Partnership for Peace nations taking part in the International Security Assistance Force. As of 10-Nov-2004 more than 8500 soldiers, sailors and airmen make up ISAF, with contributions from 37 nations. Nations supporting the ISAF mission are: Albania, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, FYROM, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, and the United States of America.

At the Headquarters level, there are 37 contributing nations that contribute more than 700 soldiers to make up the headquarters and its support personnel. The ISAF headquarters serves as the operational command for the mission.

Germany and France are the lead nations for the Kabul Multinational Brigade. Of the more than 30 troop contributing nations, France and Germany provide some 3000 soldiers within the brigade. Under the KMNB are three battle groups. The KMNB is responsible for the tactical command of the troops on the ground.