Afghanistan key province collapsed into Taliban’s hands

After storming attacks on northern Kundoz province, hundreds of Taliban fighters took control of the province early Monday, spokesman of Kundoz police commander said.

Sayed Sarwar Hussaini, spokesman of Kundoz police commander says that the Afghan security forces are attempting to regain the control of Kundoz and recapture the province.

The assault was the second time this year that the Taliban have besieged Kunduz city as Afghan forces this year have driven the Taliban from most territory they’ve gained in the warm-weather fighting season.

Kunduz, one of Afghanistan’s wealthiest provinces, is a crossroads for drugs and weapons moving between the northern provinces, and acts as a gateway to Tajikistan.

Afghan military helicopters were firing rockets at militants in three areas on the city’s outskirts,. Artillery and gunfire could be heard in the city center from just after daybreak.

Kunduz province is on a strategic crossroads connecting the four points of Afghanistan. It has been the scene of intense insurgent attacks since April.

This comes as Afghan forces, fighting alone for the first time since the withdrawal of international combat troops last year, have largely held their ground while taking heavy casualties.

Reported by Zakaria Sahari