Following the successful clearance phase of Op MOSHTARAK, markets in both Nad e-Ali and Marjah are starting to open again, Lindy Cameron, head of the multi-national Provincial Reconstruction Team in Helmand, has said.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday 26 February in Helmand, Ms Cameron said that the bazaars are opening again in Marjah and Nad e-Ali, adding: "As well as local people being able to buy their own food again, the Afghan National Army can now get their own supplies."

Government has come back to Marjah

Officials have hoisted an Afghan flag over the town in Marjah, following operations by predominantly American and Afghan forces to clear the area of insurgents.

Ms Cameron was there along with Helmand Governor Gulab Mangal, who was handing out food to people in a sign that it is safe to go out again.

Ms Cameron said: "There were about 700-plus people there and I think it was a very visible signal that the Government has come back to Marjah and of course the whole aim of this operation was to put the Government back into the whole of the Nad e-Ali district."

Also speaking at the press conference was UK military spokesman Major General Gordon Messenger who said that in the main areas of Marjah the clearance phase of Op MOSHTARAK is complete although, he added, there are still areas to the periphery where clearance operations are ongoing.

He said that there are around 300 Gendarmerie (formerly known as the Afghan National Civil Order Police) in place there now, going about their business, with another 200-300 due to arrive in the coming days.

Consolidation phase 'going well'

In northern Nad e-Ali district, where British and Afghan troops have been leading the operation, Gen Messenger said the operation is into the consolidation phase, which is going well.

The consolidation phase involves patrolling, clearing routes, searching compounds and establishing patrol bases. After the consolidation phase will come the stabilisation phase.

He said a number of new patrol bases and police checkpoints are being built and around 300-400 Gendarmerie are in place in Nad e-Ali too.

And he reported that Maj Gen Nick Carter, Commander of ISAF Regional Command South in Afghanistan, feels the operation is well on track, with insurgent activity tailing off in some areas and at a lull in other areas, although there are still some problem areas.

These problem areas have mostly been around Marjah and there has been some insurgent activity south of Babaji. They were mostly 'shoot and scoots' with insurgents letting off rocket-propelled grenades or small arms fire before running off.

Although, some engagements have been more enduring with ISAF using the tactic of low flying fixed wing aircraft shows of force to scare insurgents away with no release of ordnance needed.

Enduring commitment to the area

General Messenger said: "We are in the phase now where the locals are looking for signs of enduring commitment to the area. They're looking for signs of permanence and for their army and police to deliver, and that's very much where the security effort is now going."

It is against this background that the Government of Afghanistan set out their vision for the future of the region with the launch of the Nad e-Ali Stabilisation Plan.

The Afghan Government's Stabilisation Plan includes new schools and health clinics, as well as 'cash for work' programmes to clear canals and improve irrigation (some of these programmes are already underway) and support for farmers to grow crops.

The plan also includes a quadrupling of the number of government officials permanently based in Nad 'Ali and Marjah. Teachers are being sent to the area, and proposals are in place to help nearly 30,000 farmers receive alfalfa seed, maize and summer vegetables to help them move away from poppy growing.

6,500 wind-up radio boxes distributed

Ms Cameron added that as well as shuras, the Government is using radio to help reassure people in the area that it is back. 6,500 wind-up radio boxes have been distributed so the Government can broadcast messages so people know what's going on, and people can be told that things like the bazaars are open again.

The District Stabilisation Team, made up of British and American military and civilian personnel, are helping the Afghan Government with their stabilisation plans, including advising on repairing essential infrastructure, bringing schools back into use and refurbishing health clinics.

Ms Cameron said that the key thing though is that they are supporting the Afghan Government, adding: "I'm more confident than ever before as we've not seen this level of support from the national government. I see more resources and backing to make sure the District Governor has the budget he needs."

General Messenger added that the Taliban response to operations in Nad 'Ali district remain incoherent and there is increasing evidence that they're feeling under pressure and are moving out of the area.

He said: "They have been dislocated and disorientated and are finding it difficult to maintain a coherent response, though that's not to say they won't be able to in the future."

However, he added: "If the people believe that their security is being provided on an enduring basis, and if they believe that they are best able to get what they need by turning to the Government, then there are very few places for the Taliban to take root in these places."