The Taliban have finally found it tough to cling to Kunduz. The insurgent group said yesterday that they were pulling out from this northern city after heavy attacks by the Afghan forces. The defeat is no big setback for the extremist group in their rollercoaster ride. They have advanced and retreated, lost and gained and tried and abandoned and never admit defeat. The group said the latest decision to move out of Kunduz city was also not a sign of defeat. “We assure our people and the world that we are able to seize the city,” Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said. “Pulling back from Kunduz city and government compounds is based on consultation in order to protect civilians from bombings and prolonging it is a waste of humans and ammunitions.”
At the same time, the victory in Kunduz is a big deal for the Afghan forces as it comes at a crucial time in their struggle to gain advantage over the militant group. A defeat would have led to a string of defeats all over Afghanistan from which a recovery would have been difficult, even near-impossible, and would have sapped the confidence and energy of Afghan forces who are still struggling to contain the march of the Taliban. The insurgents controlled the city only for three days, though fighting continued for two weeks, driving tens of thousands of residents to seek safety in neighbouring provinces.
Since the withdrawal of most foreign troops last year, the Taliban have mounted a wave of attacks in Kabul and beyond, which culminated in the seizure of Kunduz, raising fears that they could be unstoppable in their advance. The retaking of the city would boost the morale of Afghan forces and the government in Kabul. It’s a personal victory for President Ashraf Ghani who had invested considerable efforts and time to find a negotiated solution to the insurgency. He had enlisted the help of Pakistan to build a bridge to Taliban. Those efforts haven’t produced the results he wanted. While he spent his time talking, Taliban continued fighting on the ground.
The Taliban have been seeking to re-establish their hardline Islamist rule ever since they were toppled by US-led military intervention in 2001. The battle-hardened extremists had proved a tough force, even for Nato and US soldiers. The exit of foreign troops has emboldened Taliban and the country is witnessing their resurgence. Ghani must initially focus all his energies on strengthening Afghan forces to defeat the Taliban in the battlefield. Talking to a powerful Taliban will be a waste of time because the government would never be able to agree to the terms they dictate. Only a subdued Taliban will be able to talk sense.
The Taliban have finally found it tough to cling to Kunduz. The insurgent group said yesterday that they were pulling out from this northern city after heavy attacks by the Afghan forces. The defeat is no big setback for the extremist group in their rollercoaster ride. They have advanced and retreated, lost and gained and tried and abandoned and never admit defeat. The group said the latest decision to move out of Kunduz city was also not a sign of defeat. “We assure our people and the world that we are able to seize the city,” Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said. “Pulling back from Kunduz city and government compounds is based on consultation in order to protect civilians from bombings and prolonging it is a waste of humans and ammunitions.”
At the same time, the victory in Kunduz is a big deal for the Afghan forces as it comes at a crucial time in their struggle to gain advantage over the militant group. A defeat would have led to a string of defeats all over Afghanistan from which a recovery would have been difficult, even near-impossible, and would have sapped the confidence and energy of Afghan forces who are still struggling to contain the march of the Taliban. The insurgents controlled the city only for three days, though fighting continued for two weeks, driving tens of thousands of residents to seek safety in neighbouring provinces.
Since the withdrawal of most foreign troops last year, the Taliban have mounted a wave of attacks in Kabul and beyond, which culminated in the seizure of Kunduz, raising fears that they could be unstoppable in their advance. The retaking of the city would boost the morale of Afghan forces and the government in Kabul. It’s a personal victory for President Ashraf Ghani who had invested considerable efforts and time to find a negotiated solution to the insurgency. He had enlisted the help of Pakistan to build a bridge to Taliban. Those efforts haven’t produced the results he wanted. While he spent his time talking, Taliban continued fighting on the ground.
The Taliban have been seeking to re-establish their hardline Islamist rule ever since they were toppled by US-led military intervention in 2001. The battle-hardened extremists had proved a tough force, even for Nato and US soldiers. The exit of foreign troops has emboldened Taliban and the country is witnessing their resurgence. Ghani must initially focus all his energies on strengthening Afghan forces to defeat the Taliban in the battlefield. Talking to a powerful Taliban will be a waste of time because the government would never be able to agree to the terms they dictate. Only a subdued Taliban will be able to talk sense.
