Nato takes over eastern Afghanistan from US

Nato took over eastern Afghanistan from US-led forces today, assuming control of 12,000 US troops and expanding their security mission to the entire country.

The commander of the Nato-led force, British Gen. David Richards, who was promoted to a four-star general today, called the move “historic” in a ceremony also attended by President Hamid Karzai and US Lt. Gen. Karl Eikenberry.

The hand-over “illustrates the enduring commitment of Nato and its international partners to the future of this great country,” said Richards.

With about 12,000 troops, the US is the biggest contributor to the 31,000-strong Nato force. Britain has 5,200 troops and Germany has 2,750 troops in Afghanistan.

“A key point to remember in this transition is that the United States maintains its full commitment to Afghanistan,” Eikenberry said. “As a Nato member, the United States will remain by far the single-largest contributor of troops and military capability.”

Eikenberry said that unifying the military command enhances Western troops’ effectiveness and allows greater flexibility in the use of assets.

An additional 8,000 US troops – those tracking al Qaida terrorists, helping train Afghan security forces and doing reconstruction work – will function outside Nato control.

The command consolidation confines direct US control to a single chief enclave: the sprawling American base at Bagram. A US Army helicopter unit based at Kandahar airfield also will remain under American oversight.

US-operated prisons and interrogation centres at Bagram will remain under US command, while Nato will continue to transfer its detainees to Afghan police.

The alliance’s troops took command of southern Afghanistan just two months ago and have struggled to stem escalating violence there. It also has troops in the north and west of the country and patrols the capital, Kabul.

The Nato takeover caps an already historic expansion of missions for the largely European alliance that was created as a Cold War bulwark against the Soviet Union. Its combat role in southern Afghanistan is the largest the alliance has ever undertaken.

The Taliban have recently staged an unexpected resurgence and stepped up attacks, triggering major battles that have left more than a thousand dead in the past few months.

An American four-star general, Army Gen. Dan K. McNeil, will take charge of both US and Nato forces in February, provided he is confirmed by the US Senate.

The new command structure leaves Eikenberry’s role in doubt. ISAF spokesman Maj. Luke Knittig said he may remain in Afghanistan, but under the auspices of the US Embassy.