Afghanistan on Monday announced the fourth round of security handover from Nato-led international forces to Afghan troops, placing 87 per cent of the population under the government's control. Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, the head of the Afghan transition, said the move was significantly ahead of schedule "in terms of the goals of assumption of responsibility in 2014."
"We have tested the ground ... We are not in a celebratory mood. We are in a learning mood. We take our experiences - the criticisms of our people, as well as their appreciation, extremely seriously," he said. Nato Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen welcomed the announcement, calling it a "significant step" towards a full handover of security responsibility over the next two years.
"It is the result of the progress we have made together, and thanks to the courage and resolve of the Afghan people, the Afghan forces and our ... troops and trainers," Rasmussen said. The Afghan army and police already led most operations and were growing further in capacity and confidence, Rasmussen said, adding that they were "highly trusted by the Afghan people." In the fourth phase, 52 new districts have come under the Afghan fold, bringing the total number of such districts to 312. Some 23 provinces are under Afghan control. There are 398 districts and 34 provinces in the country.