Nowruz Patrol

Nowruz, the Persian new year, is soon here. It is celebrated at the time of the vernal equinox, which this year is on the 21. of March. At Nowruz a lot of people are coming to Mazar-e Sharif, and some of those people visit Aybak. A lot of people means a lot of potential security risks, and it is one duty of the PRT to help the ANSF (Afghan national security forces) to control these risks. Thus, we have made a plan of joint patrols with the ANA and ANP, with the purpose of maintaining situational awareness, upholding security and showing presence. Today we did one of these patrols to the border of Baghlan province. NSTR (nothing special to report), except that it was hot, and a lot of people were out.

In the evening we had a barbecue on the roof in traditional Thursday fashion. Surprise guests also arrived from Kabul: a Swedish team on their way to MeS. I smoked a cigar and tried to relax.


It's difficult to believe that this is the same yard that it was just one and a half months ago.