The Complex And Evolving Nature Of Afghanistan's Pow Landscape

The number of prisoners of war (POWs) in Afghanistan has varied over the years, with several US soldiers being held captive by the Taliban or going missing in action. One of the most well-known cases is that of Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl, who was held by the Taliban from June 30, 2009, until his release in May 2014. Bergdahl reportedly endured torture, abuse, and neglect during his captivity, and his case brought attention to the issue of POWs in Afghanistan. There have also been other instances of US soldiers being captured or going missing during the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, with some, unfortunately, losing their lives. However, as of 2014, there were no longer any US military personnel held captive in Afghanistan, marking a significant change from previous conflicts where the number of POWs was much higher.

Afghanistan is divided into 34 provinces (called 'velayat')

Afghanistan is divided into 34 provinces, called velayat or wilayat. These provinces are the primary administrative divisions of the country. Each province is led by a governor, who is appointed by the Prime Minister of Afghanistan. Each province encompasses a number of districts, usually over 1,000 villages.

The country's 34 provinces are:

• Badakhshan
• Badghis
• Baghlan
• Balkh
• Bamian
• Daykundi
• Farah
• Farjab
• Ghazni
• Ghor
• Helmand
• Herat
• Djozdjzan
• Kabul
• Kandahar
• Kapisa
• Chost
• Kunar
• Kunduz
• Laghman
• Logar
• Nangarhar
• Nimruz
• Nurestan
• Oruzgan
• Paktija
• Paktika
• Panczszir
• Parwan
• Samangan
• Sar-e Pol
• Tachar
• Wardak
• Zabol

Provincial governors played a critical role in the reconstruction of the Afghan state following the creation of the new government under Hamid Karzai. According to international security scholar Dipali Mukhopadhyay, many of the provincial governors of the western-backed government were former warlords who were incorporated into the political system.

The provinces are the primary administrative divisions

Afghanistan is divided into 34 provinces, which are called "velayat" in the local language. These provinces are the primary administrative divisions of the country, and each province is led by a governor (called "waali") who is appointed by the central government in Kabul.

The number of provinces in Afghanistan has changed over time. Initially, there were only four Afghan provinces: Kabul, Herat, Kandahar, and Balkh. By 1880, the number of provinces had increased to six: Balkh, Herat, Qandahar, Ghazni, Jalalabad, and Kabul.

In 1964, several provinces were dissolved and split between other provinces or turned into new administrative units. These included the Southern Province, Turkestan Province, Qataghan-Badakhshan Province, Qataghan Province, Eastern Province, Farah-Chakansur Province, Mazar-i-Sharif Province, and Meymaneh Province.

In 2004, the latest restructuring of the provinces took place, and the provinces of Panjshir, Daikondi, Khost, Kunar, Nuristan, and Sar-i Pul were created. As of 2018, there were 34 provinces and 412 districts in Afghanistan, with the most recent additions being the provinces of Daikondi and Panjshir.

Each province in Afghanistan encompasses several districts and usually over 1,000 villages. The number of districts has also changed over time, with the Afghan government recognising 325 districts in 1973, 398 in 2005, and 421 as the latest announced set.

Provincial governors played a critical role in the reconstruction of the Afghan state following the creation of the new government under Hamid Karzai. According to international security scholar Dipali Mukhopadhyay, many of the provincial governors of the western-backed government were former warlords who were incorporated into the political system.

Each province has several districts or over 1,000 villages

Afghanistan is divided into 34 provinces, each of which is further divided into several districts or over 1,000 villages. The provinces are the primary administrative divisions of the country.

The number of districts in Afghanistan has been a controversial topic, with different sources using different figures. While some sources state that there are 421 districts, others claim there are 387. The discrepancy may be due to the inclusion or exclusion of provincial capitals in the count, as well as the existence of temporary" districts that have not yet been officially recognised.

The districts are further divided into smaller administrative units called nahia, or "city districts." Kabul, the capital city, is made up of several nahia.

The provincial governors play a critical role in the country, especially in the reconstruction of the Afghan state following the creation of the new government under Hamid Karzai. Many of these governors were former warlords who were incorporated into the political system.

The districts vary in terms of population and geographic size. Some districts are sparsely populated, while others, like the capital Kabul, have millions of residents. The districts also vary in terms of economic development, with some districts being more urbanised and prosperous, while others are more rural and agricultural.

The Taliban's control over the districts has been a concern in recent years, with reports indicating that they controlled about half of the district centres as of 2021. The group has made significant gains in the northern and northeastern regions of the country, capturing several districts and border crossings.

The districts of Afghanistan are crucial for the country's governance and development. They serve as administrative units for the delivery of services, such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure. The distribution of power and resources at the district level can impact the well-being of the local communities.

The two newest provinces are Daikondi and Panjshir

Afghanistan is divided into 34 provinces, with the two newest being Daikondi and Panjshir.

Daikondi was established on March 28, 2004, when it was separated from the northern districts of Uruzgan Province. Daikondi is located in the central part of the country and has a population of about 516,504. The province is dominated by the Hazara people, who make up around 86% of the population. The capital of Daikondi is Nili. The region is mountainous and green, with trees, bushes, wild food plants, and agricultural land. The local population is known for its historical opposition to the Taliban.

Panjshir became an independent province in 2004, having previously been part of Parwan Province. It is located in the northeast of the country and contains the Panjshir Valley. The province is divided into seven districts and contains 512 villages. Panjshir has a population of about 173,000 and is predominantly Tajik. The Panjshir Valley has been known as a hub for resistance and was the site of an uprising against the government of Daoud Khan in 1975.

The provinces have changed frequently over the years

Afghanistan's administrative divisions have changed several times over the years, with the country's external borders remaining almost unchanged. The nation is divided into 34 provinces, called 'velayat', which are further divided into districts and villages.

The tendency has been to create more provinces over time. Initially, there were only four Afghan provinces: Kabul, Herat, Kandahar, and Balkh. By 1880, the provinces consisted of Balkh, Herat, Qandahar, Ghazni, Jalalabad, and Kabul.

In 1964, several provinces were dissolved and split between other provinces or turned into new administrative units. These included the Southern Province, Turkestan Province, Qataghan-Badakhshan Province, Qataghan Province, Eastern Province, Farah-Chakansur Province, Mazar-i-Sharif Province, and Meymaneh Province.

In the same year, some provinces were renamed: Baghlan and Pul-i-Khumri became Baghlan; Ghorat became Ghor; Girishk became Helmand; Kalat became Zabul; Kunarha became Konarha; Maimana became Faryab; Mazar-i-Sharif became Balkh; Shibarghan became Jowzjan; Talugan became Takhar; and Wardak and Maiden became Wardak.

In 1988, Sar-e Pol province was formed from parts of Balkh, Jowzjan, and Samangan. In 1988, Nurestan province was formed from parts of Konar and Laghman.

In 1995, Khost province was split from Paktia, and in 2004, Daikondi province was formed from Oruzgan, and Panjshir from Parvan.

In 2005, the Afghan government issued a map of 398 districts, which was widely adopted by many information management systems. This map included Sharak-e-Hayratan, bringing the total number of districts to 399.

The latest announced set of districts includes 421 districts, with 387 "districts" and 34 "provincial center districts", totalling 412 districts.

The dynamic nature of Afghanistan's provincial boundaries reflects the country's evolving political and administrative landscape.

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