Afghanistan: fear of civil war grows

Afghan militias gather with their weapons to support the Afghan security forces against the Taliban, in the house of Afghan warlord and former mujahideen chief Ismail Khan in Herat on July 9, 2021. AFP - HOSHANG HASHIMI

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The Afghan authorities have announced their willingness to respond to the latest Taliban advances.

The latter claim to control 85% of the country.

The Afghan forces are therefore preparing to launch an offensive to retake the most important border post with Iran, in the province of Herat, with the support of thousands of militiamen.

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The spokesman for the governor of the province of Herat, in the west of the country, said troops would be sent to retake the Islam Qala border post, the main crossing point with Iran.

A strategic location taken by the Taliban on Friday July 9.

Several hundred fighters from Ismail Khan's militia have also been deployed to the provincial capital of Herat.

Ismail Khan is a figure of the region, anti-Taliban warlord.

He announced to take up arms again and to be able to change the situation.

Several historical Afghan warlords mobilize their supporters in this way, their power is reinforced by the weakening of the army.

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"A matter of weeks": in Afghanistan, the victory of the Taliban is imminent

The fear of a new civil war is therefore becoming more and more present, like that which followed the fall of the communist regime in 1992. In Kabul, the Pakistani ambassador thus called for the reinforcement of the Afghan army.

The latter has been losing streak since the start of the Taliban offensive two months ago.

An operation carried out in parallel with the gradual departure of the last American forces on the spot.

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See also: Report - Afghanistan: the Taliban are gaining ground, the populations are considering exile

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  • Afghanistan

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