Kabul, 16 January 2010: Afghan and NATO forces must complete their military operation in Helmand’s Nad Ali District soon and help local communities regain access to essential services and resume their normal life, the Afghanistan Rights Monitor (ARM) requested today. 

Thousands of NATO and Afghan forces launched a large-scale offensive in Nad Ali and Marjah, central Helmand, on 13 February which aims to drive out Taliban fighters.

NATO commanders and Afghan officials have said that different phases of the Operation Moshtarak, including house searching, could take several weeks to complete.

As the operation goes on the civilian people in Nad Ali are facing tremendous risks and predicaments.

Despite assurances by Afghan and NATO officials about utmost respect for civilian protection during the Moshtarak Operation, NATO has confirmed its forces killed at least 15 civilians in Nad Ali and Marjah on 14 February. Information received by ARM indicates that 19 civilians have lost their lives in the conflict as of 16 February.

ARM reiterates calls on all sides of the conflict to show greater respect for civilian safety and do every possible effort to minimize the impacts of conflict on non-combatants. We also request maximum attention and respect by NATO forces to local traditions and females’ dignity and immunity during house searching in Nad Ali and Marjah.

Local people have been ordered to stay in-door and avoid trespassing in Marjah and surrounding areas. The strict prohibition on movement in Marjah has caused serious problems for the people who need to take patients to a doctor or buy medicine, food and other essential requirements from out-doors.

The very large army NATO and Afghan Government have   jointly deployed to Nad Ali and Marjah has already announced victory against the armed opposition who have reportedly shown little resistance. It is unclear why the operation and restrictions on movement should prolong for several weeks.

The Taliban have confirmed a lot of improvised explosives have been planted across Nad Ali which would need time to be cleared by NATO and Afghan forces. 

ARM condemns the use of landmines and other improvised explosives which often cause heavy damages to civilian people but stresses that de-mining activities alone cannot justify unreserved and indefinite ban on normalcy in the populated areas.

The people of Nad Ali have already suffered immensely under the Taliban’s repressive reign over the past two years. Their miseries must end immediately.