Taliban launch assault on Afghan city of Kunduz

Taliban insurgents yesterday launched a multi-pronged assault on Kunduz, a strategically important city in northern Afghanistan that has come under frequent attack since 2015.

The ongoing offensive came as the US and the Taliban continue to seek an agreement in Doha that would see thousands of American troops leave Afghanistan in return for various security guarantees.

Officials said the fighting started around 1:00 am (2030 GMT Friday), when Taliban militants advanced on the city from several directions.

Gunfire could be heard across Kunduz, the capital of Kunduz province, and as the day wore on, both sides claimed units from the other’s forces were surrendering.

The Taliban said they had captured several important buildings, while the Afghan air force conducted at least five strikes and Afghan security officials insisted they had enough manpower on the ground to repel the attack.

The Taliban attack shows they “don’t believe in the peace opportunity provided by the US and the government of Afghanistan,” Sediq Sediqqi, spokesman for President Ashraf Ghani, said on Twitter.

“On the one hand they are talking with the US, on the other hand they are attacking people’s houses and villages. We will not leave their attack unanswered.”

According to government spokesman Feroz Bashari, at least 42 Taliban fighters had been killed and Afghan commandos had joined the counter-attack.

 

Taliban launch assault on Afghan city of Kunduz

Taliban insurgents yesterday launched a multi-pronged assault on Kunduz, a strategically important city in northern Afghanistan that has come under frequent attack since 2015. The ongoing offensive came as the US and the Taliban continue to seek an agreement in Doha that would see thousands of American troops leave Afghanistan in return for various security guarantees. Officials said the fighting started around 1:00 am (2030 GMT Friday), when Taliban militants advanced on the city from several directions. Gunfire could be heard across Kunduz, the capital of Kunduz province, and as the day wore on, both sides claimed units from the others forces were surrendering. The Taliban said they had captured several important buildings, while the Afghan air force conducted at least five strikes and Afghan security officials insisted they had enough manpower on the ground to repel the attack. The Taliban attack shows they dont believe in the peace opportunity provided by the US and the government of Afghanistan, Sediq Sediqqi, spokesman for President Ashraf Ghani, said on Twitter. On the one hand they are talking with the US, on the other hand they are attacking peoples houses and villages. We will not leave their attack unanswered. According to government spokesman Feroz Bashari, at least 42 Taliban fighters had been killed and Afghan commandos had joined the counter-attack.