The UK deployment to Afghanistan - fifth report of session 2005-06, report, together with formal minutes, oral and written evidence (Paperback)

The UK is currently involved in two military operations in Afghanistan: the US-led coalition Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) with a counter-terrorism mission; and the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) with a security and stabilisation mission. The UK-led Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC) will command the ISAF from May 2006 to February 2007, a period which will see the extension of the ISAF's mission into the Western and Southern provinces of Afghanistan. The Committee's report focuses on pre-deployment issues for the UK forces to be deployed in Helmand province. The report considers the likely problems they will face in attempting to balance the goals of bringing greater security to the province as well as reducing the opium trade. The report raises concerns that the UK airlift and close air support capability may not be sufficient to support the Helmand deployment, and also about the effect the Helmand deployment might have on the overstretch of UK armed forces, particularly on pinchpoint trade personnel. It also calls on the MoD to provide greater clarity about the responsibilities of UK forces to detainees under their care, and in terms of the rights of detainees established in the Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Afghanistan.