Afghanistan: Taliban attacks in Kandahar province, in the south of the country
Child in the Kandahar region in September 2020. Taliban strikes hit the south of the country (Illustrative image).
AFP
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In Afghanistan, the Taliban launched a series of attacks on checkpoints in southern Kandahar province last night.
Simultaneous attacks carried out in 5 districts around the provincial capital.
Afghan authorities say they have repelled the offensive and killed 51 Taliban fighters.
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From our correspondent in Islamabad
,
Sonia Ghezali
Violence continues in the country as peace talks started last September continue in Doha, Qatar between the Taliban and a delegation sent by Kabul.
►Also read: Afghanistan: opening of historic talks between the Taliban and the government
Explosions and gunfire rang out throughout the night across Kandahar province.
Dozens of Taliban fighters launched an assault on checkpoints of government forces.
The Afghan authorities responded on the ground but also with bombardments.
Some missed their target and caused the death of several civilians, including a family of seven, some local officials say.
Maintain military pressure
The Taliban movement was born in Kandahar.
Several districts of the province are under their control.
They are not relieving the pressure despite the peace talks in Doha, Qatar.
The Taliban carried out similar offensives in neighboring Helmand province last October.
Their strategy is to maintain pressure on the military ground in order to maintain their strong position at the negotiating table.
The Taliban are said to be fighting over half of the territory with Afghan security forces.
The Kabul government continues to call for a ceasefire, which the insurgents continue to refuse.
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