(2) how many (a) ambush and (b) improvised explosive device attacks were carried out against international security assistance force troops in Helmand Province in each month in 2007.
The following table records the number of attacks (direct and explosive devices) instigated by enemy forces on ISAF forces in Helmand Province, Afghanistan for each month requested. I am withholding details of these attacks as the information would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness and security of the armed forces.
2007 Number of attacks January 65 February 92 March 149 April 82 May 132 June 120 July 125 August 131 September 125 October 108 November 132 December 151
This data is based on information derived from a number of sources and can only be an estimate, not least because of the difficulties in ensuring a consistent interpretation of the basis for collating statistics in a complex fast-moving multinational operation environment.
(2) how many attacks have been made on British forces in Afghanistan in each month since October 2006.
The following tables shows the number of attacks (direct or using mines/improvised explosive devices) instigated by enemy forces on ISAF forces in Helmand Province, Afghanistan in each of the months requested. It is not possible, except at disproportionate cost, separately to identify attacks directed exclusively at British forces given the multinational nature of forces operating in Helmand Province.
Number of attacks 2006 May 3 June 18 July 133 August 141 September 150 October 49 November 32 December 53 2007 January 65 February 92 March 149 April 82 May 132 June 120 July 125 August 131 September 125 October 108 November 132 December 151 2008 January 71
These data are based on information derived from a number of sources and can only be an estimate, not least because of the difficulties in ensuring a consistent interpretation of the basis for collating statistics in a complex fast-moving multinational operation environment.
The number of direct engagements (regardless of the instigator or the means of instigating the incident) between ISAF forces and insurgents in Helmand Province per month since May 2006 are shown in the following table.
Number of contacts 2006 May 4 June 18 July 140 August 180 September 177 October 77 November 48 December 64 2007 January 110 February 156 March 260 April 178 May 208 June 178 July 189 August 170 September 197 October 149 November 161 December 202 2008 January 106
It is not possible, except at disproportionate cost, separately to identify attacks exclusively involving British forces given the multinational nature of forces operating in Helmand Province.
These data are based on information derived from a number of sources and can only be an estimate, not least because of the difficulties in ensuring a consistent interpretation of the basis for collating statistics in a complex fast-moving multinational operation environment.
It is not possible further to break down these statistics in the way requested as in some instances it is not possible to determine against whom a particular attack was targeted.
The numbers of suicide attacks recorded in Afghanistan are shown in the following table.
Number of suicide attacks 2006 May 6 June 3 July 8 August 13 September 19 October 13 November 13 December 9 2007 January 12 February 8 March 14 April 13 May 15 June 12 July 22 August 11 September 12 October 11 November 4 December 8
I am withholding details of the number of improvised explosive attacks as the information would or would be likely, to prejudice the capability, effectiveness and capability of the armed forces.
These data are based on information derived from a number of sources and can only be an estimate, not least because of the difficulties in ensuring a consistent interpretation of the basis for collating statistics in a complex fast-moving multinational operation environment.
I have nothing further to add to the answer I gave on 17 September 2007, Official Report, column 2169W.