NZDF personnel to leave Afghanistan
WELLINGTON: New Zealand will withdraw its military personnel from Afghanistan by May, ending a 20year involvement in a conflict in which 10 New Zealand lives were lost, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced.
The deployment at present comprises only six New Zealand Defence Force members — three at the Afghanistan National Army Office Academy and three with the Nato Resolute Support Mission headquarters.
Over more than 20 years, 3500 New Zealand troops and officials have been deployed there in a conflict which began after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States.
The attack was organised by Al Qaeda which was thought to have operated from Afghanistan.
Ms Ardern said the decision to withdraw had been discussed with New Zealand’s key partners.
‘‘The deployments to Afghanistan have been one of the longest running in our history, and I wish to acknowledge the 10 New Zealanders who lost their lives in the line of duty, and the more than 3500 NZDF and other agency personnel whose commitment to replace conflict with peace will always be remembered.’’
Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta said that although the environment remained complex, the intraAfghan peace process afforded Afghanistan the best prospect of an enduring political solution.
‘‘New Zealand will continue to be supportive of the Afghan Government and its people in the years to come, including as they work through the intraAfghan peace process in an effort to resolve the decadeslong conflict.’’
New Zealand deployed the SAS in 2001 and Willie Apiata later won the Victoria Cross.
The biggest deployment occurred when New Zealand led a Provincial Reconstruction Team in Bamiyan province.
Defence Minister Peeni Henare said New Zealand and its partners had helped to establish the conditions for the current peace process.
‘‘We’ve supported regional security, and helped to improve the lives of the people of Afghanistan, particularly in Bamiyan province.
‘‘Another important element of New Zealand’s support for Afghanistan has been our contribution to training and mentoring a new generation of officers in the Afghanistan Army.
‘‘The success of the mentoring programme being conducted with the Afghanistan National Army Officer Academy means it is now selfsufficient enough for New Zealand’s contribution there to conclude.’’
Lieutenant Tim O’Donnell was the first NZDF death in Afghanistan, in August 2010, when a patrol he was part of came under attack by insurgents near Bamiyan.
A subsequent operation to attack the insurgents, known as Operation Burnham, became the subject of a book, Hit & Run, by Nicky Hager and Jon Stephenson, alleging a coverup over civilian casualties.
A commission of inquiry headed by former prime minister Sir Geoffrey Palmer and former Supreme Court judge Sir Terence Arnold was highly critical of the NZDF but found the operation in which there were civilian casualties had been justified under international law.
New Zealand joint forces commander Rear Admiral Jim Gilmour said yesterday the six personnel in Afghanistan would return to New Zealand within the next couple of months.
Radm Gilmour said the NZDF had made a significant contribution to regional security and development in Afghanistan over the past 20 years, including in Bamiyan province with the reconstruction team.
NZDF mentors have been supporting the officer academy since its creation in 2013.
They have been part of an international mentoring team together with the United Kingdom, Denmark and formerly Australia and Norway.
The academy produces about 75% of Afghan National Army officers.
Last September, the academy graduated its 5000th cadet.
NZDF personnel have been supporting women, peace and security initiatives, including in gender adviser roles, at the Nato support mission.
Their work has included assisting in the development of Afghan National Army gender advisers and helping remove barriers for females in the Afghan army, including through the establishment of childcare facilities and education and training opportunities. — The New Zealand Herald