International troops in Afghanistan get ready to hand over authority to local forces

International coalition troops in southern Afghanistan are preparing to make way for national security forces and civilian authorities to strengthen local government as the NATO-led military operation mops up the remaining Taliban forces in the region, according to allied officials.

Around 10 per cent of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan – some 20,000 troops – is involved in Operation 'Moshtarak', which was launched in Helmand province on 13 February.

One issue is whether ISAF would have to keep a large force of its soldiers in the region on standby in case there is a resurgence of the Taliban, as the Afghan National Army (ANA) and police fan across Helmand.

NATO's newly appointed senior civilian representative in Afghanistan, Mark Sedwill, said that would not be necessary.

"Currently we have ISAF, ANA and special Afghan police forces in the territory. As security stabilises, the plan is to bring the local police back in – but not from the same district," he told reporters in Brussels on 10 March.

"The ANA will gradually draw down in the region too, but their main duty will provide the 'framework security' for the next few months. On the streets it will be police, while the perimeter security [around parts of Helmand province] will be [provided by] the ANA, with some support from ISAF," he added.