Heavy fighting as Taliban attack western Afghan city
Afghan aircraft on 15 May bombed Taliban positions in the western city of Farah after the insurgents launched a major attempt to capture the provincial capital, with fearful residents seeking shelter from explosions and gunfire.
The attack – the first major assault targeting a city since the Taliban launched their annual spring offensive – began around midnight, with the militants capturing one urban district and parts of another, said local provincial council member Jamila Amini.
Amini told AFP on 15 May from inside Farah: ‘Heavy fighting continues inside the city and aircraft have just started bombarding Taliban positions.’
Afghan officials said police special forces from Kandahar and commandos from Herat had also been deployed.
Najib Danish, Afghanistan’s interior ministry spokesman, vowed: ‘(The Taliban) will fail.’ He said both Afghan and foreign air forces were taking part in the fighting.
There was no immediate confirmation from NATO's mission in Kabul.
Mohammad Radmanish, Afghanistan’s defence ministry spokesman, said at least 10 insurgents and two Afghan security force members had been killed so far.
Radmanish said: ‘The situation is under control and will change by the end of the day.’
But inside the city residents reported clashes were continuing.
Satar Hissaini, a tribal elder in Farah, told AFP: ‘The situation is very bad.’
Hissaini added: ‘Heavy fighting is going on and Taliban are in the city but the police headquarters and NDS (the Afghan intelligence agency) have not fallen to them. NDS forces in their HQ are engaged in heavy clashes with the Taliban.’
Another provincial council member, Dadullah Qani, confirmed Hissaini's comments, the sound of gunfire and explosions audible as he spoke to an AFP reporter by telephone.
The noise has ‘filled the city’, said one resident who gave his name as Bilal, adding that he could see smoke rising from the direction of a building housing the NDS.
At least some militants have been hiding in residential houses, making it difficult for Afghan forces to use heavy weapons, Farah Governor Abdul Basir Salangi told Ariana News, adding: ‘But still we are taking back positions one by one.’
The insurgents released a statement warning residents to stay inside their homes and ‘stay calm’. They have also been posting images on social media they claim shows them inside the city.
Many radio and television channels in the province have stopped broadcasting, fearing for their employees' lives, according to media watchdog Nai.
More from Defence Notes
-
US lawmakers warn that “more military spending is absolutely necessary” to ensure Pentagon’s readiness
The US Congress has raised concerns about how inflation rates and cuts in main acquisition programmes could affect the US military.
-
US FY2024 funding package passes as China closes military capability gap
The Pentagon has been operating under temporary funding since October 2023, which has impacted its main acquisition and development programmes, increasing the capability gap between the US and China.
-
NATO outlines future challenges as Ukrainian funding from US stalls
In 2023, defence spending increased by an unprecedented 11% across European NATO countries and Canada. Since 2014, the group has spent an additional US$600 billion on defence.
-
US Pentagon to reduce investments in main acquisition programmes over FY2025
The DoD requested nearly US$850 billion to fund operations over the next fiscal year. Despite the amount being 1% higher than the FY2024 budget request, it has not covered the 3% inflation rate, which could impact the DoD’s main programmes in the medium and long term.
-
Haiti crisis forces Caribbean militaries to prepare for intervention
As gangs gain control of Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s Caribbean neighbours have been preparing to intervene in the failed state, with the US and other partners waiting in the wings with equipment and financial support.