ISAF suspends on-the-ground joint ops in response to insider attacks

The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) on 18 September suspended joint operations below battalion level in response to a spate of 'green-on-blue' insider attacks against international troops by Afghan security forces.

ISAF spokesman Major Adam Wojack said under the order issued by ISAF Joint Commander Lieutenant General James Terry, joint operations involving smaller units, for instance at company- or platoon-level, would have to be individually approved by regional commanders.

ISAF said the recent demonstrations over an anti-Muslim film had also figured in the decision to suspend operations. "In response to elevated threat levels resulting from the 'Innocence of Muslims' film, ISAF has taken some prudent, but temporary, measures to reduce our profile and vulnerability to civil disturbances or insider attacks," a statement said. "This means that in some local instances, operational tempo has been reduced or force protection has been increased."

Attacks on ISAF personnel have escalated. Four US and two UK soldiers died after they were shot by uniformed Afghans, while three five-man Taliban teams dressed in US uniforms killed two ISAF personnel and injured nine others, and destroyed six AV-8B Harrier jets and three coalition refuelling stations at Camp Bastion in Helmand province.