Taliban attack joint US-Afghan base, kill 23 Afghan security forces
At least 23 Afghan security forces were killed in a Taliban attack on a joint US-Afghan base in southwestern Afghanistan, officials said yesterday, as fighting continued during a pause in peace talks between the insurgents and American negotiators. The hours-long assault took place on Shorab military base in Helmand province, which is one of the largest military installations in the country. Details here.
Terrorists entered the base, engaged in firefights with Afghan forces
Details of the heavy toll from the assault on Shorab military base followed earlier claims by local and US officials that Afghan forces had successfully repelled the attack, killing four terrorists. The pre-dawn assault, claimed by the Taliban, saw terrorists enter the base in Helmand province and engage in firefights with Afghan forces. Hours later, an official informed that the operation is over.
23 security forces and 20 insurgents killed in operation: Jawed
Ghafoor Ahmad Jawed, a spokesman with the Ministry of Defense, said, "The operation is over, 23 security forces killed, 15 injured and 20 insurgents killed." Omar Zwak, spokesman for the provincial governor, also confirmed the toll, saying the Taliban deployed at least 7 suicide-bombers, who were killed during the fighting. A US official said that no Americans were killed or wounded in the attack.
Taliban control more than half of Helmand's districts
The Taliban control more than half of Helmand's districts and regularly deliver sharp blows to Afghan forces, who have been struggling to hold off insurgents across the war-torn country since taking the lead from NATO forces in late 2014. The assault on Shorab comes as US and Taliban negotiators in Doha have temporarily halted peace talks, which are set to restart over the weekend.
Framework already drafted on withdrawal of US troops from Afghan
US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad earlier this week called the latest meetings "productive", saying the two sides "will take the next two days for internal deliberations, with plans to regroup on Saturday". Negotiations are believed to be progressing after high-level talks last month ended with a "draft framework" on the potential withdrawal of US troops and a pact to prevent Afghanistan from harboring terrorists.
US forces could leave Afghanistan within five years: NYT
A New York Times report published Thursday hinted that US forces could leave Afghanistan within five years under a Pentagon plan offered as part of a potential deal with the Taliban to end the nearly 18-year war. The US has also pushed for a ceasefire and the opening of a dialogue between Taliban and Kabul-government, demands that have been repeatedly rejected by the insurgents.
US didn't propose anything regarding staying in Afghanistan, says Taliban
The Taliban were quick to dismiss the existence of the plan, saying they were unaware of any such proposals made during the negotiations. "No talks have been held in the meetings regarding an interim government and elections, nor has the US side proposed anything regarding staying in Afghanistan for four or five more years," the insurgents said in a statement yesterday.
Abrupt US withdrawal could spark even bloodier civil war: Afghan-govt
The Afghan government and civil society groups have voiced repeated concerns that an abrupt US withdrawal could spark an even bloodier civil war or even a return to hardline Taliban rule. Meanwhile, heavy snowfall across large swathes of Afghanistan has led to a sharp reduction in violence this winter but the warmer weather will likely spark an increase in the bloodshed.
Taliban likely to ramp up attacks in coming months: Analysts
The warmer weather in the country's south will spark an increase in bloodshed with the arrival of the spring fighting season. Analysts have warned that the Taliban are likely to ramp up attacks in the coming months as they seek to maintain momentum on the battlefield and leverage at the negotiating table. Afghan forces, however, claim to be taking the fight to the insurgents.
US has intensified its air campaign against Taliban, IS group
Defense Ministry said more than 100 "terrorists" have been killed in recent days in various operations across Afghanistan. The US has also intensified its air-campaign against the Taliban and the IS group, dropping twice as many munitions on insurgent positions in 2018 compared to 2017.
