The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said the clashes in Kunduz have killed or injured more than 100 civilians and forced 6,000 people to flee the city.
"The reports of extrajudicial executions, including of healthcare workers, abductions, denial of medical care and restrictions on movement out of the city are particularly disturbing," UNAMA chief Nicholas Haysom said.
The Afghan army has been trying to send more troops from the south up into Kunduz, but Taliban roadblocks and landmines have blocked them from advancing in Baghlan province.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said Wednesday there were intense clashes going on in northern Baghlan.
US airstrikes
U.S. warplanes carried out a pair of airstrikes on Tuesday in support of the Afghan troops. A spokesman for the U.S.-led NATO alliance said the first strike was done to "eliminate a threat to coalition and Afghan forces."
A second strike overnight hit the area around the Kunduz City Airport, which was the site of heavy clashes late Tuesday after Taliban fighters staged a major attack on the complex. Afghanistan's intelligence agency said the airstrike killed the Taliban's shadow governor for Kunduz province along with 15 other people. There was no official confirmation.
President Ashraf Ghani told reporters Tuesday in Kabul that national forces have made quick advances and retook control of several buildings. He said that airstrikes have inflicted heavy casualties on the opposition, insisting Taliban insurgents are using residents in Kunduz as “human shields.”
Ghani called for calm and appealed to the nation to trust Afghan security forces, saying they are determined to retake Kunduz very soon and restore peace to the region.
Taliban spokesman Mujahid rejected as government propaganda that Taliban fighters have indulged in looting banks, shops, government and non-government offices...
voanews.com
30/9/15
--
-
Related:
GR
FR
DE
ES
IT
RU
EU
Taliban fighters have seized a military hilltop site in Kunduz, tightening their grip on the northern Afghan city...
ReplyDeleteThe capture of the Bala Hisar fortress came despite efforts by government reinforcements, backed by Nato airstrikes and special forces, to retake the city.
It leaves the airport as the army's last stronghold.
The Taliban overran Kunduz on Monday, their biggest military gain since they lost power in 2001.
The Taliban had blockaded the Bala Hisar fortress for two days. Hundreds of Afghan security personnel were stationed there, and their fate was not clear.
Late on Tuesday the Taliban tried to capture the airport as well, but two US air strikes halted their advance.....BBC