Security giving way to development is center issue at Bala Murghab District Shura

Badghis, Afghanistan (January, 12) - The top Afghan, Italian and U.S. officers here met to discuss security with the district governor and elders at the Bala Murghab (BMG) District Center, Badghis Province, Afghanistan, Jan. 12.

 The BMG District has developed over the past year, and that's due to security measures taken across the Murghab Valley.

“One year ago, everything was destroyed and we had a lot of problems here,” said Afghan National Army Col. Umar Sahyd, 2^nd Battalion, 207^th Corps commander. “Things have improved but problems persist, and that hinders making this area a truly unique place in Afghanistan.”

According to the U.S. Agency for International Development, more than 600 people from BMG have been employed to clean the canal systems across the valley.

As the sound of children playing soccer outside resonated across the district center, Ibrahim Gavaftar, BMG District governor, expressed his gratitude for the people making a better life possible in his district.

“I'm pleased that we are working as one team here,” said Gavaftar. “Our friends from Spain [Spanish Provincial Reconstruction Team] have many development projects planned for when the weather improves, and USAID has been doing a great job across the valley.”

The Bulldog Troop commander (7^th Squadron, 10^th Cavalry Regiment), U.S. Army Capt. Tyrek Swaby, echoed Gavaftar's remarks and thanked the international civilian and military efforts in his area of responsibility, and had a message for the more than dozen village elders in attendance.

“The improvements in Bala Murghab are a direct reflection of the efforts of village elders just like you,” said Swaby. “I can tell you that though this seems small when compared to activities across Afghan as a whole, the projects here have drawn a lot of attention to Bala Murghab.

“People all around the world have been watching what's been going on in Bala Murghab these past few months,” continued Swaby. “You've turned the corner and made this place a [relatively] safe place to live and work. Because of this, many organizations will come here and work on many new development projects this year.”

To make that possible, coalition and Afghan National Army (ANA) troops must keep the valley safe from insurgent activities, and need local villagers help.

Elders responded positively to what the coalition has been doing for some time, said one elder, stating:

“I remember summers where I felt it was too hot to survive. Then I'd see our coalition friends wearing very heavy equipment, working hard, and trying to build security for us. I feel very thankful for these memories and for what you are doing here.”

The top ANA officer in attendance thanked the villager for sharing his memory and had his own message for all the elders in attendance.

“We all know that wherever there is peace and safety, we can prosper,” said Sahyd. “Talk to insurgents if you know any. Explain to them to put their weapons down and join the peace process. Let's stop making orphans and start building peace.”