status-of-forces agreement

An agreement that defines the legal position of a visiting military force deployed in the territory of a friendly state. Agreements delineating the status of visiting military forces may be bilateral or multilateral. Provisions pertaining to the status of visiting forces may be set forth in a separate agreement, or they may form a part of a more comprehensive agreement. These provisions describe how the authorities of a visiting force may control members of that force and the amenability of the force or its members to the local law or to the authority of local officials. To the extent that agreements delineate matters affecting the relations between a military force and civilian authorities and population, they may be considered as civil affairs agreements. Also called SOFA. See also civil affairs agreement.

Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms. US Department of Defense 2005.

References in periodicals archive ?

Obama's one task was to conclude a status-of-forces agreement (SOFA) to solidify the gains.

Terrorist resurgence belies 'achievement'

It will also assess the impact of delays in conclusion of the status-of-forces agreement. "We stand by our commitments to Afghanistan.

Rasmussen stresses credible, transparent vote

And he said the United Nations and the OPCW would move "as soon as possible" to conclude a status-of-forces agreement with Syria to govern the terms of their work in the country.

Ban Recommends 100-Strong Chemical Weapons Team

Administrative Agreement -- free use of military bases and conversion of the entirety of Japan into a military base -- are retained in the current security treaty and status-of-forces agreement.

Okinawa's recovery of sovereignty should be questioned: Okinawa Times

For any overseas activity, whether an access arrangement, peacekeeping, military exercise, or foreign military sales case, unit exchange or aircraft visit, careful thought should be given to the questions of what status-of-forces agreement arrangements exist and what additional arrangements are necessary."

What are we talking about? SOFA

forces after all military sites were handed over to the Iraqi side in a step to implement the items of the status-of-forces agreement (SOFA).

Delta base in Kut comes under rocket attack

Baghdad, Nov 21 (ANI): A new 'status-of-forces agreement' between Washington and Baghdad will make it mandatory for the US forces in Iraq to first obtain warrants before searching Iraqi homes or detaining terrorist suspects.

US troops in Iraq will now have to obtain search warrants before raiding suspects

The US government has lobbied hard for the status-of-forces agreement, which would replace a United Nations mandate authorising the US presence that expires on December 31.

IRAQ - Nov 16 - Iraq Agrees US Three-Year Troop Stay

That's why Maliki and most other Iraqi politicians have balked at signing the status-of-forces agreement sought by the Bush administration, and why the Iraqi prime minister is enthusiastic about a timetable for the departure of most US troops by the end of 2010.

A good time for Bush to declare victory in Iraq

The first is a status-of-forces agreement which would define the legal protections and responsibilities of US troops; the second is a "strategic framework" that would govern the overall US-Iraq political and military relationship.

The Implications Beyond 2008

and wants to use that timetable to press IraqCOs political leaders to resolve their political differences,C[yen] McDonough said.Zebari said he was optimistic that the negotiationsCoon a status-of-forces agreement, or SOFA, governing the rights and responsibilities of US troops in Iraq; and on a C[pounds sterling]strategic frameworkC[yen] outlining long-term political, cultural and security tiesCocould be concluded by the end of July.