Reprinted from US Forces- Afghanistan Facebook Page
KABUL, Afghanistan – The Afghan national flag was raised above Khan Neshin castle in the Rig District Centre July 8 for the first time, signalling the arrival of Afghan governance in the southern reaches of Helmand province.
Khan Neshin and the areas south of the Helmand River have never experienced the sustained presence of coalition forces or Afghan national security forces, until now, seven days after the beginning of Operation Khanjar.
"The number one question we get from the people is, ‘when are you leaving?’" said Brig. Gen. Larry Nicholson, commanding general of Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan. "The answer is we’re not leaving until the transition for security is made to the provincial government, to include the Afghan forces."
Afghans from the local populace came to Khan Neshin shortly after the flag was raised, where they heard statements from Helmand Governor Gulab Mangal and newly-appointed Rig District Governor Massoud Jan. Dozens of locals then gathered around a large courtyard within the district centre to sign up for voting in the upcoming national elections.
"Look at them," said Gen. Muhaidin, brigade commander, 3rd Afghan National Army Brigade, 205 Corps, gesturing toward the crowd. "Now they know that the government is here and they have security. [The Afghans] have hope, that’s why they’re here."
Afghan citizens and members of the Afghan National Army raise the Afghan national flag above Khan Neshin castle in the Rig District Centre July 8 for the first time. (International Security Assistance Force Photo)
fatuma
says:
hi you rock keeping an eye on my home country
Caspar
says:
I’ve been following the Afghanistan war since it’s begining. The picture above show one of many beatiful moments in hope for peace. I recommend you to google “you cant press pause in this call of duty”, it’s a great article about war in general.
Sharing my 5 cents, thanks for the post!
Caspar from Bröllopsdekorationer
Christina
says:
This is a really excellent article, both for its face value and for what it means to me as an American citizen. For one, it is great to see the Afghan people be able to take back some of their land and symbolize this action by raising their flag in a way like this. Of more importance to me personally is actually having stumbled upon this blog, because in all honesty I have not been keeping up with the war. In part, I wouldn’t completely blame myself as the mainstream media has completely ignored it in so many respects. My brother recently departed for Iraq as well, which makes the war across the seas even more real to me. He went to Afganistan about 7 years ago, and to see him leave again is just devastating. I just hope things keep going as well as they seem to be over in Afganistan (and Iraq by extension). I look forward to keeping up with this blog, as it seems to be one of the few that actually pay attention to the war anymore.