Tri-Service

The Kunduz Conflict: Afghan Army Fights To Push Taliban Back

The Afghan army has retaken the city of Kunduz from the Taliban, according to government sources.

The northern city’s capture in a co-ordinated attack on Monday took the military and intelligence agencies by surprise and was a major setback for President Ashraf Ghani - coming on the first anniversary of his taking office.

On Wednesday, Afghan troops, backed by US air strikes, massed on the outskirts of the city and at the airport, to begin what was expected to be a long and difficult campaign to drive out the insurgents. Officials say an overnight operation retook government landmarks and inflicted heavy casualties.

Afghan forces retake control of Kunduz from Taliban - https://t.co/sAC32tffIu - ... pic.twitter.com/Z94QavyjWi
— Riyadh Vision (@RiyadhVision) October 1, 2015

But the Taliban has insisted it still controls large parts of the city. The militant group's spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told the press "the Taliban flag is still flying" and that "life in Kunduz is normal".

Residents have reported street battles and gunfire their city.

One, who lives close to Kunduz’s main square, spoke to international media via telephone, saying, "The situation is really critical and getting worse, and I've just heard a huge explosion from a bomb near my house".

Shift in role

Afghan government forces have struggled to combat insurgents now they are less reliant on coalition help.

The international forces' role shifted to training and support after all NATO combat troops withdrew from Afghanistan at the end of last year.

Kunduz had been a flashpoint for Taliban-led suicide bomb attacks.

Five US military airstrikes were used in the assault on Kunduz, with ISAF (the International Security Assistance Force) confirming its assets were used, eliminating the threat to protect themselves and Afghan troops.

A statement issued by the NATO mission, codenamed ‘Resolute Support’, said the Afghan Security Forces have full responsibility for their operations in Kunduz, with Resolute Support personnel acting in an advisory and assistance capacity. ISAF permits its servicemembers to take action in self defence if necessary.

The Taliban spokesman has poured scorn on the Afghan military, accusing them of being controlled by America. Mujahid said, "The United States, with their puppets, have been bombing Kunduz city. Government forces have received heavy casualties."

The latest announcement concerning the battle for the city was made on Twitter, with the Afghan Ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi posting that government troops had taken control, but that an operation to clear the city was ongoing and could take days.

He said the effort to retake Kunduz is a joint army and police operation and that roadblocks set up by the Taliban to prevent movement had been removed, insurgents who were hiding in houses were being sought, and that essential supplies of food and medicine would be delivered to residents soon.

Mr Sediqqi confirmed that around 200 Taliban fighters had been killed in the assault, but did not provide a figure for casualties among the Afghan Forces.