Heavy fighting between pro-government factions in western city of Herat claimed over 100 lives. Civil aviation minister Mirwais Sadiq, son of powerful Herat provincial governor Ismail Khan, killed in 21/22 March clashes with 17th division military commander, Zahir Nayebzada. Khan claimed clashes followed assassination attempt on his life. 1,500 government troops sent to the area. At least 4 Afghan civilians killed in fighting between rival pro-government commanders of Shiite Muslim Hezb-i-Wahdat faction in Uruzgan province 16 March, with 2 U.S. soldiers killed 18 March. U.S. responded with attack on village in Uruzgan which Afghan officials claimed left 6 civilians dead. Attacks on aid workers continued: director of Afghan Red Crescent Society shot dead 7 March; Turkish engineer and Afghan guard also killed in southern province of Zabul. President Hamid Karzai asked NATO to provide troops as security for voter registration and elections. Karzai announced presidential and parliamentary elections to be delayed from June to September due to security and registration concerns. At donors’ conference in Berlin 31 March / 1 April Karzai government called for $27.6bn over 7 years. International donors pledged $8.2bn aid over next 3 years. U.S. promised $2.2bn over 2 years.

Security situation outside Kabul remained highly unstable. Attacks in Khost and Ghazni claimed 2 Afghans and 1 U.S. soldier. Four Afghan de-miners killed 14 February in western province of Farah, as were 5 Afghan NGO workers 25 February in eastern Paktika province. Australian commercial pilot killed 22 February after helicopter came under fire from suspected Taliban rebels. Fierce fighting in northeastern Badakhshan province between rival commanders over hashish taxation. ISAF commander, Lt. Gen. Rick Hillier, claimed June presidential elections will proceed despite Taliban threats. President Karzai and UN mission not so sure. UN’s task of registering estimated 10.5 million eligible voters boosted by 21 February U.S.$22 million pledge from donor countries. As yet only 1 million voters registered.

New constitution adopted 4 January after 21 days of often acrimonious negotiations. President Karzai’s bid to retain strong presidency largely successful. Presidential elections scheduled for June but UN said unlikely as security concerns meant only 3% of voters registered. Violence worsened after Loya Jirga lull. Over 70 deaths, mainly around Kandahar. Canadian peacekeeper, British soldier killed in suicide blasts 27, 28 January in Kabul. 29 January 7 U.S. soldiers killed in apparently accidental weapons cache blast in Ghazni. Sixteen Afghan civilians killed, 57 wounded in 6 January strike aimed at Provincial Reconstruction Team’s office. In 18 January bombing U.S. claimed to have killed 5 militants; Saghatho village officials claimed 11 civilians were killed.

Constitutional Loya Jirga assembled 13 December in Kabul amid security fears. Intense debate followed on presidential/parliamentary power balance and regional-ethnic representation – final vote on draft constitution repeatedly delayed, now not until 1 January at earliest. President Karzai, largely supported by Pashtuns, insisting delegates approve draft giving extensive powers to presidency, but opposed by Northern Alliance representatives. Suicide bombing in Kabul 29 December killed 5 Afghan intelligence officers; Taliban claimed responsibility and threatened further attacks. Afghan UN worker killed, several injured in Farah province 4 December; 15 children killed in two separate U.S. airstrikes; Kandahar shopping area blast 6 December injured 18. NGOs reducing work and personnel as foreign workers continue to be targeted: 2 Indian, 2 Turkish, and 1 Afghan worker on Kandahar-Kabul road kidnapped. Safety issues delaying voter registration and education efforts. Disarmament and reintegration pilot scheme achieved first disarming of defence minister’s militia and control over some heavy weapons near Kabul, as well as first regional disarming of 1000 former combatants in Kunduz and Gardez.

Grip of central government outside Kabul still weak; insecurity hampering reconstruction and political progress. Fighting between Afghan factions in north continues despite plans to recall commanders Atta and Dostum to Kabul. Government team dispatched to merge their forces and integrate them into national army. Serious concern about power vacuum in southern Zabul province, scene of deadly clashes this month. French UNHCR worker killed 16 November in Ghazni; car bomb exploded outside Kandahar UNAMA office 12 November; UN humanitarian operations now suspended in several southern and eastern provinces. 11,500- strong U.S.-led coalition force continues to focus on south and east where regrouped Taliban forces target internationals and Afghan police and troops; also launched new counter-terror campaign in northeast. At Brussels NATO meeting 30 November U.S. defence chief Donald Rumsfeld indicated U.S. would like NATO eventually to take over military mission. Draft constitution unveiled 3 November leaves fundamental rights subject to future legislation, concentrates power in presidency and fails to delineate respective powers of centre and provinces. Process widely criticised as rushed and favouring those already in power; similar fears expressed about upcoming electoral process. Border with Pakistan, calm since July, saw renewed clashes 2 November.

UN Security Council resolution passed 13 October authorising expansion of NATO-led ISAF beyond Kabul. 150 German troops to be deployed to Kunduz by end 2003 and 450 by mid-2004, creating “island of security”; further ISAF “islands” planned. Long-awaited expansion welcome but minimal and insufficient to date. Battles between Afghan commanders in north claimed over 60 lives in first week of October. Ceasefire agreement signed between Gen. Abdul Rashid Dostum and Gen. Atta Mohammad 9 October broken by attack 25 October. Atta and Dostum to be moved to new positions in Kabul. Ambitious program to disarm and reintegrate 100,000 Afghan fighters finally underway. Pilot project commenced 24 October in Kunduz: 1,000 fighters laid down weapons. 11,500-strong coalition force continues to focus on south and east where regrouped Taliban forces target internationals and Afghan police and troops. UN humanitarian operations suspended in several southern provinces due to insecurity. Draft constitution circulated 20 October; initial reaction negative across political spectrum.

Attacks by extremists against U.S. forces, government troops and aid workers continue in south. Four Afghans working for Danish NGO killed on 8 September; two other aid workers killed on 24 September while delivering clean drinking water to village in Helmand province. Growing tension between Kabul and Islamabad: Afghan Government accuses Pakistan of doing too little to prevent militants from regrouping in Pakistan. Both have agreed to reinforce troops on border to monitor crossings. Battles between local commanders in north continue to cause displacement and civilian casualties. Demobilisation and reintegration program delayed by government failure to reform defence ministry. Draft constitution to be unveiled in early October. American special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad named U.S. ambassador. NATO experts to study feasibility of expanding ISAF mandate beyond Kabul; Germany announced readiness to deploy 250-450 troops to northern city of Kunduz. More than 100 Taliban fighters killed since Coalition Operation Mountain Viper launched on 25 August.

Armed attacks by extremist groups against U.S. forces, government troops and aid workers continued in southeast border regions. More than 60 people killed on 13 August (including two Red Crescent workers, 15 Afghan civilians and six government soldiers), bloodiest day in over a year. Battles between local commanders in the north continue to cause displacement and civilian casualties. NATO took command of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) on 11 August. Continuing need to expand international security umbrella outside Kabul. Subject to parliamentary approval, 250 German troops will be deployed to northern city of Kunduz. UN approval sought to send troops under ISAF umbrella; otherwise troops will operate under “Enduring Freedom” U.S. command. U.S. and Afghan soldiers began week-long campaign of bombing and intense ground battles on 25 August, hitting Taliban camps and killing dozens; 2 U.S. soldiers killed.