Recently some media have reported that only a few nations are stationed in southern Afghanistan and they’re doing all the fighting. (Click here and here to read some of those reports.)

In fact, there are more countries involved.

As of today, in Regional Command South there are about 19,000 troops from at least a dozen nations. Ten of these— Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Jordan, the Netherlands, Romania, the United Kingdom and the United States with about 10,000 combat troops in total—are out on patrol risking their lives every day. The other nations provide support to these combat forces and they’re not out of harm’s way.

So to say that only three or four or five of the NATO troop contributing nations in Afghanistan are in the south is erroneous. Granted Australia and Jordan are not members of NATO but their troops are serving alongside their NATO allies.

Now keep in mind that actual numbers of troops on the ground and the countries they come from varies so playing a numbers game can be tricky. 

All nations in the south are making tremendous contributions to ISAF’s mission in Afghanistan, regardless of the size of their contingent.

In fact, during a media event at SHAPE on February 7, General John Craddock, the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, praised the Estonians for their work in Helmand province. He said their small contingent is “punching above their weight”. (click here for the video of the media availability).

Yes, the British and the Canadians are engaged in the fighting in the south and are taking combat casualties. So are the Dutch and the Danes. And the Australians. As we said, they’re not members of NATO but the sacrifice of their nation’s sons is no less significant.

It’s dangerous for all members serving in Afghanistan, regardless of which country they come from or where in Afghanistan they serve. For example, the Poles have a similar role in Regional Command East as the Canadians do in the south. They, too, have lost soldiers in combat, as have the Americans.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
If you want to know who’s where in Afghanistan, check out the ISAF fact sheet by clicking here. It’s the same one we posted on this blog on February 7.