Heart: Regional Command West of ISAF has a new Commander

Herat, Afghanistan (18 October) – Italian Brigadier General Marcello BELLACICCO is the new commander of Regional Command West of ISAF. He took over from general Claudio BERTO after six months of duty in the western region of Afghanistan.

ISAF troops partnered with the Afghan National Security Forces to expand security in the remote districts of the four western provinces, by protecting the population from the insurgency and countering the threat of Improvised Explosive Devices that cause most of their victims among civilians.

The partnership between ISAF forces and the Afghan National Army implemented in Badghis province yielded excellent results: the Murghab valley was freed from the insurgents’ presence and a safe zone of 20 km was created where more than 7,000 people returned to their homes and are now benefiting of development projects. The operation will eventually allow the completion of the Ring Road section crossing the province.

Regional Command West promoted development and governance through the establishment of a dedicated working group that comprises Provincial Institutions, Development Organizations and ISAF’s Provincial Reconstruction Teams. The working group is meant to be a forum to discuss development initiatives and to synchronize efforts throughout the region.

The four Provincial Reconstruction Teams of Regional Command West implemented over 300 projects in coordination with the local authorities and communities, all fit in the provincial development plans.

Concerning the capacity building of the National Security Forces, over 4,000 recruits of the Afghan National Civil Order Police were trained in the centres run by ISAF teams in the last six months. The new policemen are provided with police and military skills to better deal with the demanding operational environment they will perform and will be able to better protect the population.

“Regional Command West operational approach is population-centric and based on partnering with the National Security Forces of Afghanistan and with the institutions at all levels in order to protect the population from the insurgents but also from basic needs like education, health and freedom of movement. I am extremely satisfied with the level of cooperation achieved between ISAF troops and our Afghan partners, which I consider the key factor for future developments in the whole Country”, said Brigadier General Claudio BERTO to summarize his mandate on the occasion of the Transfer of Authority Ceremony.