Chronology

ISAF XI

Jun 08 -

General D. McKiernan, US

Feb 08 - Jun 08
Lt. Gen. J. McNeill, US
 

ISAF X

Jun 06 - Dec 07

Lt. Gen. J. McNeill, US
 

ISAF IX

May 06 - Feb 07

Gen. David Richards, United Kingdom, Headquarters Allied Rapid Reaction Corps.

 
  • 5 October 2006: ISAF implements Stage 4 of its expansion, by taking on command of the international military forces in eastern Afghanistan from the US-led Coalition.
  • 12 September 2006: The UN Security Council adopts resolution 1707
  • 24 August 2006: Daan Everts is appointed to the position of Senior Civilian Representative, successor to Mr Hikmet Çetin.
  • 31 July 2006: ISAF expands its area of operations to six additional provinces in the south of Afghanistan.
  • 8 June 2006: First ever meeting of defence ministers from NATO and non-NATO ISAF contributing countries. These 37 ministers reconfirm their commitment to expand to the south.
 

ISAF VIII

Aug 05 - May 06

Lt. Gen. Mauro Del Vecchio, Italy, NRDC-IT.
  • 2006: new command arrangements agreed between ISAF and Combined Forces Command-Afghanistan to ensure close coordination.
  • 31 January 2006: London conference on Afghanistan.
  • 8 December 2005: Foreign ministers endorse a revised operational plan for expansion of ISAF to the south and agree to develop an Afghan cooperation programme (defence reform, defence institution building and military aspects of security sector reform).
  • 18 September 2005: First parliamentary elections in 30 years.
  • 13 September 2005: The UN Security Council adopts resolution 1623
 

ISAF VII

Feb 05 - Aug 05

Lt. Gen. Ethem Erdagi, Turkey, NRDC-T
  • 8 June 2005: NATO defence ministers state that the Alliance will provide additional support for forthcoming elections and is planning for ISAF expansion to the south (stage 3).
 

ISAF VI

Aug 04 - Feb 05

Lt. Gen. Jean-Louis Py, France, EUROCORPS
  • 10 February 2005: NATO decides to expand ISAF to the west of Afghanistan.
 

ISAF V

Feb 04 - Aug 04

Lt. Gen. Rick Hillier, Canada
  • 7 October 2004: First ever direct presidential elections. Hamid Karzai is declared President of Afghanistan two days later.
  • 17 September 2004: The UN Security Council adopts resolution 1563
  • 28 June 2004: at Istanbul, NATO announces that it will expand its presence in Afghanistan through four additional PRTs.
  • 31 March-1 April 2004: NATO Secretary General participates in a donors’ conference on Afghanistan in Berlin.
 

ISAF IV

Aug 03 - Feb 04

Lt. Gen. Götz Gliemeroth, Germany
  • 4 January 2004: Adoption of a new constitution by the Loya Jirga.
  • 31 December 2003: NATO assumes command of the Kunduz Provincial Reconstruction Team, previously led by Germany.
  • 19 December 2003: NATO decides to expand the role of ISAF IV.
  • 19 November 2003: Appointment of Mr Hikmet Çetin (Turkey) to the position of NATO Senior Civilian Representative in Afghanistan.
  • 13 October 2003: the UN Security Council adopts resolution 1510 authorising the expansion of ISAF's operations to include operations anywhere in Afghanistan.
  • 28 September 2003: Meeting between NATO Secretary general, Lord Robertson and the Interim President of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai.
  • 11 August 2003: NATO takes over the command and coordination of ISAF.
 

ISAF III

Jan 03 - Aug 03

Lt. Gen. Norbert Van Heyst, Germany
  • 5 July 2003: First NATO troops set off for Kabul.
  • 16 April 2003: The North Atlantic Council agrees to expand NATO's support to the international peacekeeping force in Afghanistan.
  • February 2003: ISAF III under the command of Germany and the Netherlands, on the basis of UNSCR 1444.
 

ISAF II

Jul 02 - Jan 03

Maj. Gen. Hilmi Akin Zorlu, Turkey

 
  • 27 November 2002: The Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) hosts a Force Generation conference for ISAF.
  • 17 October 2002: NATO approves a request from Germany and the Netherlands for NATO support in helping them to prepare to take over command of ISAF early 2003.
 

ISAF I

Dec 01 - Jul 07

Lt. Gen. John McColl, United Kingdom

 

  • 20 June 2002: ISAF II under the command of Turkey, on the basis of UNSCR 1413.
  • 10-20 June 2002: A national Loya Jirga takes place and gives the Transitional Authority 18 months in which to hold a second national Loya Jirga to adopt a constitution and 24  months in which to hold national elections
  • 13 June 2002: Harmid Karzai is elected Head of the Afghan Transitional Authority.
  • 4 January 2002: ISAF tasks laid out in a Military Technical Agreement.
  • 20 December 2001: The UN issues UNSCR 1386, authorising the deployment of a multinational force in and around Kabul to help stabilise the country and create the conditions for self-sustaining peace; ISAF I established by UNSCR 1386 under the command of the United Kingdom, with forces and assets from 18 other countries.
  • 5 December 2001: Bonn Conference.
 
 
  • 7 October 2001: Launch of US Operation Enduring Freedom.
  • September-October 2001: Ouster of the repressive Taliban regime by the US.