Taliban attack on Afghanistan Provincial Capital repelled

On August 9, 2021, Afghan forces attacked on provincial capital of northern province of Samangan called Aybak city to repel Taliban militants.

Highlights

• In the attack, at least 20 Taliban militants were killed and eight others got injured.
• Taliban fighters fled towards surrounding areas after casualties were inflicted.
• Earlier, on August 7, Taliban attacked Pul-e-Khumri city, capital of neighbouring Baghlan province.
• Taliban militants have also taken control over three provincial capital cities of Taluqan, Sari Pul and Zaranj following the clashes.
• They have captured nearly 200 districts over the past three months.

Pakistan’s view

Pakistan is soon going to host a regional conference on Afghanistan under the diplomatic push in order to prevent a civil war in war-torn country.

UN on attack

UN children’s agency highlighted that, some 27 children have been killed and 136 injured across three provinces of Afghanistan in past three days.

Germany’s view

Defence Minister of Germany rejected calls for its soldiers to return to Afghanistan after Taliban took over Kunduz city.

Taliban insurgency

Taliban insurgency started in Afghanistan after group’s fall from power during the 2001 War in Afghanistan. Taliban forces are fighting against Afghan government and US-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). Insurgency has also spread over the Afghanistan-Pakistan border and neighboring Pakistan, particularly Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Taliban continuously conduct warfare against Afghan National Security Forces and NATO allies besides the civilian targets. Countries like Pakistan, Iran, China and Russia are accused of funding and supporting them.

US-Taliban Agreement

United States and Taliban reached to an agreement on February 29, 2020 in in Doha, Qatar. Agreement called for withdrawal of 13,000 U.S. and allied troops in next 14 months on a condition that, Taliban continues with the peace process. However, as United States forces and allies started to withdraw from Afghanistan, Taliban started to intensify their insurgency. Till now, Taliban have gained control over 85% of cities in Afghanistan.

Month: Current Affairs - August, 2021