Operation ‘Sob Bakhair’: expanding security in northern Badghis province

HERAT, Afghanistan (26 May) – Afghan soldiers of Kandak 2/2/207 supported by ISAF troops of Regional Command West are expanding the security bubble built around FOB Columbus in Bala Murghab, Badghis province, north of Herat.

After several days of fights, ANA forces along with US Task Force Fury and Italian Mountain Troops of Task Force North have rejected – with close air support and mortar fire – several intensive insurgents’ assaults directed on the southern edge of the secured area of Bala Murghab, and have expanded it by another 2 km.  Operation ‘Sob Bakhair’ (Good Morning) is a ‘clear’ operation, aimed at disrupting the insurgents’ presence in the area, where the local population may likely witness a return to normality. The expansion of the security bubble around Bala Murghab is allowing a number of quick impact projects: food distributions and medical aid are currently being provided by Afghan and International troops.  Long-term projects are also ongoing, like the renovation of a bridge on the river Darya-Ye-Murghab which will link together several communities living in the area.  On a long term perspective, operation ‘Sob Bakhair’ is the first phase of a process aiming at the completion of the Highway One sector linking the northern province of Faryab with the province of Badghis in the west. The road sector crossing Bala Murghab is currently unpaved and traffic is severely hindered for long periods of the year, with heavy consequences for a safe and secure circulation of goods in north-western Afghanistan.