Afghanistan | The country is falling into the hands of the Taliban – Map of the occupied territories – VIDEO

Defence Redefined

Published on 22/06/2021 at 08:18

The Taliban took control of a strategic area in the northern province of Kunduz on Monday (June 21), having surrounded the provincial capital, the city police said.

The battles around the Imam Sahib area commenced late Sunday and by noon on Monday the Taliban had taken control of the city and the police headquarters, said Inamuddin Rahmani, a provincial police spokesman.

The Taliban are one kilometer from Kunduz, the provincial capital, but have not entered the city, he said, although there have been reports of small Taliban groups near the outskirts and reports of residents fleeing to Kabul.

Also read: Six more Afghan districts fall into the hands of Taliban – Photos & VIDEO

Dozens of areas have fallen under Taliban control since May 1, when US and NATO troops began the final phase of their withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Imam Sahib is strategically located near Afghanistan’s northern border with Tajikistan, an area that is a major supply route from Central Asia.

Inamuddin Rahmani, a provincial police spokesman, said Afghan National Army police and soldiers had worked together to defend the area. He said it was not yet clear how many Afghan National Security and Defence Forces were killed in the prolonged fighting or how many Taliban members were killed or wounded.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahed confirmed that the Imam Sahib area had fallen under Taliban control.

Several other districts in Kunduz have also been occupied by the Taliban in recent clashes, including Dasht-e-Archi, which borders Imam Sahib, Rahmani said.

In the last few days, the Taliban have occupied several areas in the three northern provinces of Kunduz, Baghlan and Balkh. Local sources also say that Doshi district in Baghlan province is under the control of the Taliban, which, if so, gives the rebel group control of a road connecting five northern provinces with the capital Kabul.

The Taliban posted videos on their website and WhatsApp groups claiming that government soldiers had surrendered to the Taliban, urging them to return home and receive money from the Taliban. On Sunday, Taliban leader Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhunzada issued a statement ordering his troops to “treat those who surrender well and behave well towards them.”

Fighting was fierce in some areas and both sides suffered casualties. A senior police officer speaking on condition of anonymity to the AP – because he was not authorized to speak to the media – said the police officers taking part in the fighting came mainly from poor families. 

Talks between the government and the Taliban in Qatar have stalled. While Taliban leaders say they are ready to negotiate, observers familiar with the talks say the rebel movement seems more willing to take military action in hopes of strengthening its negotiating position.

Meanwhile, the White House announced Sunday that President Joe Biden will meet in Washington on Friday with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah, the head of the country’s Supreme National Reconciliation Council, who are abroad.

Friday’s meeting, according to a White House statement, was aimed at reaffirming US financial and humanitarian assistance “in support of the Afghan people, including Afghan women and minorities.”

White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Monday that the conversation “will also continue on how we can work together to ensure that Afghanistan does not again become a safe haven for terrorist groups that pose a threat to our homeland.”

Also read: Tens of thousands flee their homes after Taliban offensive in Helmand, Afghanistan