Afghanistan shutters private security firms

The government of Afghanistan has announced its determination to shut down all private security companies operating in the country. Kabul has already disbanded 57 of them.

An Interior Ministry official overseeing the campaign, General Abdul Manan Farahi, said the targeted companies, are all Afghan, and include unregistered and illegal firms that have broken domestic laws. He said more than 3,000 individuals have seen their weapons confiscated.

Farahi said companies protecting aid and development projects and diplomatic missions would be able to continue operating but only within the premises they are guarding. He also said the headquarters of remaining companies have been moved outside the capital, Kabul.

All other employers of private guards will gradually begin to use a special police unit called the Afghan Public Protection Force, when the government’s plan is fully implemented.

Earlier, Farahi said 52 legally registered security companies employing more than 26,000 people, including 3,400 foreigners, would be allowed to remain in operation.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai ordered private security firms in August to end operations within four months. In October, he extended the deadline under pressure from the West. Mr. Karzai has said the firms undermine the country’s army and police.

Private security firms have been a source of controversy since the U.S.-led intervention in Afghanistan in 2001. Some private security teams have been accused of killing civilians without facing punishment.

Meanwhile, NATO said one of its service members was killed by a roadside bomb in southern Afghanistan. The military coalition said the attack occurred December 21st, but provided no further details.