General information concerning ISAF and the countries participating in the mission
ISAF’s Mission in Afghanistan is a response to terrorist attacks carried out against the United States on September 11, 2001, when a broad international coalition started to be formed with the purpose of countering terrorist threats. Having regard to its commitment and dedication to the international effort in that direction and in compliance with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1386 dated 20 December 2001, our country joined the Memorandum of Understanding on the creation of an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, signed on January 10, 2002 in London.
The National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria passed a decision on the participation of a Bulgarian contingent in ISAF and on January 21, 2002 the Council of Ministers designated a unit of the Bulgarian Armed Forces to participate in ISAF. On February 16, 2002 a sanitary contingent was formed, comprising 32 Bulgarian servicemen. It was deployed in the region of the UK contingent, 10 kilometres away from Kabul, where a laundry and bath facility was deployed.
Due to a change in the situation in the region of the mission, the tasks performed by the contingent were exhausted. On a motion by the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria, by means of Decision dated July 29, 2003, the National Assembly terminated its participation and authorised the participation of a mechanised platoon in ISAF and instructors to train the Afghan National Army (ANA). The new contingent began carrying out its tasks on August 19, 2003. Over the next years our country gradually increased its contribution by sending two more companies to Kabul and Kandahar, as well as specialists to perform specific tasks (Air Traffic Control (ATC) at the Kabul Airport, medical teams, instructors, etc.).
In November 2009, as part of the process of handover of responsibility for security in the capital from ISAF to the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF), our mechanised company, which had been part of the Italian Battlegroup, and the force protection platoon, which was attached to the German logistic element were withdrawn from the operation area. Instead, a Bulgarian company took charge of the security of the outer perimeter of the Kabul Airport.
Currently, 48 countries are taking part in ISAF’s Mission in Afghanistan, including all 28 NATO Member States, as well as partners of the Alliance. The total strength of military personnel in ISAF’s Mission comes to more than 130,000 troops.
Command and control are exercised by:
- Force Headquarters (ISAF);
- Five Regional Commands: Capital - RC(C); East – RC(E); West - RC(W); North - RC(N); South - RC(S);
- Kabul International Airport Command;
- ISAF Joint Command.
Twenty-five Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) are deployed in the territory of the country, as well as Operational Mentor and Liaison Teams (OMLTs), embedded with a specific unit of the Afghan National Army (ANA) to provide training, mentorship and liaison services.
In addition to NATO Forces, since end of 2001, the United States have been running a parallel operation, conventionally known as Enduring Freedom, comprising coalition contingent of approximately 25,000 personnel.
