Major reshuffle of French troops in Afghanistan
On 1 November, a radical regrouping of French troops in Afghanistan was completed, the French presence is now mainly concentrated in the Kapisa and Surobi areas with the setting-up of the “La Fayette” task force.
For General Georgelin, Chief of the French Defence Staff, this reshuffle was made possible by “the results we have achieved, first in the central region where the successful transfer of security to the Afghans themselves allowed us to move the battalion which was deployed in the Kabul region to the east region. Likewise, the brigade our OMLTs were mentoring south of Kabul is now capable of working satisfactorily so that these OMLTs are now ready to mentor other units east of Kabul.”
The French forces are increasingly unified in action and gaining in operational coherence. Over half the French land forces are under one command, the “La Fayette” brigade, whose action is concentrated in the Kapisa and Surobi areas. Our troops are more condensed with 2 GTIAs [Groupement tactique interarmes – joint tactical group], the helicopter battalion and 4 OMLTs operating in the same area alongside the Afghan National Army (see map below).
Reshuffling the whole force has enabled us to deploy extra intelligence, airmobility and support capabilities. Within the same total amount of 3,750 French troops in the OEF/ISAF operations this redeployment process strengthens the land lay out.
This new joint lay out facilitates comprehensive action. In the same Surobi and Kapisa areas, 100 French gendarmes will work in a “Police Mentoring Liaison Team” mentoring Afghan police. Moreover, €2 million will be invested in the area by our Afghanistan-Pakistan mission for agricultural, health and infrastructure development work.
Asked about whether this war is winnable, General Georgelin replied, “We have to stop putting the question in those terms. We’re not in Afghanistan to win a Clausewitzian-type war. We’re in counterinsurgency operations. We’re in Afghanistan in order for Afghanistan to become safe and stable enough for the Afghans to take responsibility for their own security and development. That’s the goal we’re pursuing, it’s what we have to pursue persistently and it’s what we’re moving towards. I don’t at all share the recent all-too-prevalent pessimism, even if I obviously acknowledge that the situation is serious and difficult.”
For more information (in French) on developments in France’s commitment in Afghanistan see: http://www.defense.gouv.fr/documentaire_afghanistan
Last updated: 03.11.2009