NATO officials say they have reached a security cooperation deal with tribes in part of the Sangin District of Afghanistan’s Helmand Province. The deal is the first such security deal in several years, according to officials.

Under the terms of the agreement, the tribal elders agreed to “keep the Taliban out” of the district in return for commitments of development aid for the area. It only covers the region around the village of Sarwan Qala.

Provincial spokesmen said the deal would obligate the elders to make sure no Taliban attacks are launched in the area. The deal was not made with any insurgent factions, however, and it is unclear if the tribal elders are in any better a position to prevent such attacks than NATO has been.

Sangin District has been a difficult challenge for NATO forces, particularly since the replacement of British forces with US Marines, which has led to the troops being much more aggressive and killing many more civilians.

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