Taliban insurgents on Saturday launched a multi-pronged attack on Kunduz, a strategically important city in northern Afghanistan that has come under frequent assault since 2015.
The ongoing attack 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.
Footage shows Afghan security forces including special forces fighting the Taliban in #Kunduz city. #Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/w8AjyIFdoL
— TOLOnews (@TOLOnews) August 31, 2019
Officials said the attack started around 1:00 am (2030 GMT Friday) when insurgents fighters assaulted the city from several directions.
“So far, eight fighters have been killed in the east and west of Kunduz,” Sayed Sarwar Hussaini, Kunduz police spokesman, told AFP.
“The fighting is ongoing. Commando forces have arrived and are trying to repel the Taliban attacks.”
The insurgents overwhelmed local forces and briefly seized the city, and it was only through extensive US air support that the Taliban were repelled
An international media reporter in Kunduz said small-arms and heavy-weapons fire could be heard in four areas of the city.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed that Saturday’s attack had resulted in the capture of several important structures.
“The forces attacked Kunduz city from several directions this morning. We are in the city now capturing government buildings one after the other,” he told reporters.
VIDEO: large number of #ANA troops surrendered to #Taliban in #Kunduz City. #Afghanistan https://t.co/U4MTJJ0HNH
— Red Team (@RedTeamOne) August 31, 2019
In late September 2015, the Taliban attacked Kunduz, located near the border with Tajikistan.
The insurgents overwhelmed local forces and briefly seized the city, and it was only through extensive US air support that the Taliban were repelled.
Read more: Taliban bomb attack on Afghanistan police, nearly 100 wounded
The fall of Kunduz underscored the vulnerability of Afghan security forces and played a role in stopping the pull-out of US forces under president Barack Obama.
Since then, the city has come under frequent Taliban attack but the insurgents have not been able to repeat a full capture.
GVS Analysis: US Peace Process and Taliban
US President Donald Trump wants a swift withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan and peace talks are in progress which includes US, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Taliban issued a statement recently which said that the fight is over with US forces but Taliban will continue to fight Afghan forces and take Afghanistan by force.
A Taliban backed government in Afghanistan poses severe threats to Pakistan as Pakistan has, with much effort, defeated the evil of terrorism. Pakistan is trying to get the peace talks going as Pakistan too is a major stakeholder in peace in Afghanistan.
AFP with additional input by GVS news desk