KHOST PROVINCE - In a small mountainous region of eastern Afghanistan, ISAF members of the Khost PRT are put to the test. Insurgents attack COP Sabari in the Khost District with indirect fire on a near daily basis. However, a group of ISAF members work with Afghan people who want to make their village a better place for their families and future generations of Afghans.
Army Staff Sgt. Sam Rogers, an ISAF Civil Affairs ‘Team East’ leader, accompanies patrols in the area to help the Afghan leadership make changes for the better within the local populace. “Since the PRT arrived in Sabari, the previous approach to governance and development assistance was hands-off due to the poor security and minimal interaction with the populace,” Rogers said. “Our biggest effort as a combined team is to show greater support to the c, and identify the local source of instability affecting the populace.”
PRT members provide better access and visibility to the provincial govt, observing interaction with local leaders, promoting the mission, announcements, and invitations for feedback on govt projects, through a local radio station. “The District Gov. is a well educated man who truly believes in the future of Afghanistan, and its people,” Rogers said. “His actions since taking office made the most significant contribution to the mission in Sabari.”
According to Rogers, the joint efforts of all the ANSF and ISAF members help improve security in the area, and gain the population’s trust. They see how the GoA and CF work together in a more positive, professional, culturally aware and considerate force. These partnerships will help pave a better way ahead for the people in the district, he said. “A representative govt, free of corruption, is what the people need, but it's not an easy goal to achieve,” he continued. “The main effort is for a stable, non-threatening Afghanistan, able to meet the needs of its people.”
“At PRT Khost, our primary effort is to connect Afghans with Afghans, and provide solutions to the root cause of instability,” said Army Lt. Col. Rob Cooley, Civil Military Ops Center leader and PRT Khost dep. cmdr. “We're trying to connect the village and tribal elders with their district leadership, the district leadership with its provincial leadership, and its provincial leadership with its national leadership.”
There are still many hurdles to cross such as securing the people, maintaining legitimate governance and urban development. The process to deliver better security and development through the cis one of the biggest.
According to Rogers, the greatest concern would be having a change in District Gov., which can happen frequently and with little notice. This is a result of the current approach to govt that the Afghans are using, but if it happened, it would almost be like starting from square one all over again, he said. "While working in Paktika, I had many threats, and even now, in Sabari, I can't stay in my own home, or the insurgents and criminals will kill me,” said Gov. Muklis. “I need to provide for my family; a good life now, and a better life in the future. Many people ask me why I work for the Americans. I tell them that I work with the Americans. I love my country.”
Many of the threats or consequences come in the form of night letters. Pashtunwali, meaning “the way of the Pashtuns,” presents an “Honor Code,” which, along with religious reasons or outright fear, contributes to the populace giving safe haven or provisions to the enemy, or turning a blind eye to their activities. Due to these reasons, their willingness to support the govt and SECFOR is tentative at best. The rules and regulations of the tribal society have been around for more than 2,000 years, and are resolute in the Khost Prov.
"The majority of the populace is intimidated by a larger than reality perception that the insurgents and criminals are everywhere and see everything," Rogers said. "They live in fear of even the slightest offense to the enemy, but nobody that I've spoken to knows anyone who has actually been punished to such an extreme as death or dismemberment."
“We've heard recently that the people of Khost have greater trust and confidence in their govt and SECFOR,” Cooley said. “They see improvements in the quality of construction projects underway, and a more responsive govt willing to address the needs of the villages and their people. There's still a lot more work to be done, but all partners are taking steps in the right direction.”
