Fighting surges in Afghan districts

KABUL: The war in Afghanistan between Taliban and government forces got intensified as Taliban encircled almost all major cities across the country, and on Saturday claimed seizing seven more districts in the northeastern province of Badakhshan.

Since May 1 when the US military began its final withdrawal of about 2,500 troops, the two warring sides clashed fiercely across the rugged countryside as peace talks between them faltered.

As a result, the Taliban seized dozens of districts in blistering assaults targeting government forces.

Top US envoy to Kabul, Ross Wilson, lashed out at the Taliban. "The Taliban is using violent propaganda and hate speech to intimidate, threaten & attack Afghans on social media," Wilson said on Twitter on Saturday."Violence and terror cannot create peace." The Pentagon pressed on with its withdrawal to end America’s longest war.

Meanwhile, hundreds of Taliban fighters were killed in fierce battles with government forces across several provinces of Afghanistan, officials said Saturday, as Washington announced it would finish withdrawing its troops from the country by the end of August. Washington’s announcement came after all US and Nato troops vacated their main Bagram Air Base, from where the coalition forces led operations for two decades against the Taliban and their al-Qaeda allies.

Over the past 24 hours, more than 300 Taliban fighters were killed in fighting with government forces, the Ministry of Defence said Saturday. Scores were killed in air strikes, including a pre-dawn assault on Saturday, in the southern province of Helmand, where the Taliban and government troops regularly clashed. There have been fears that Afghan forces would struggle without the air support that the United States has provided. "In recent days, the Afghan air force has intensified its air strikes against the Taliban hideouts and the Taliban have suffered casualties," Attaullah Afghan, a member of Helmand provincial council, said.

The Taliban rejected the government’s claims. Both sides often exaggerate each other’s casualties and their claims are difficult to independently verify. The exit of foreign troops from Bagram has further fuelled concerns the country might slide into new civil war, as in the 1990s after the Soviets left. "I see history repeating. The Americans are doing the same what the Russians did. They are going without ending the war," said Kabul resident Dawood Hotak. "I feel our country will slide back into another civil war as the Taliban have intensified their attacks and the Americans are exiting."

US President Joe Biden attempted to ease these concerns at the White House on Friday. He said the US military is keeping an "over the horizon capacity" which could bring firepower to help the government and its forces if needed. Media reports say the Pentagon will probably retain about 600 troops in Afghanistan to guard the vast US diplomatic compound in Kabul.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki also said that the exit of foreign troops from Bagram did not mean that the overall withdrawal of foreign forces would be completed within days. Foreign troops would be out of Afghanistan "by the end of August", she said, closer to the September 11 deadline set by Biden.

"The president has long felt... that the war in Afghanistan was not one that can be won militarily," she told reporters, adding that the United States would continue to provide security systems and humanitarian assistance in the months ahead.

"The American and coalition forces have completely withdrawn from the base and henceforth the Afghan army forces will protect it and use it to combat terrorism," defense ministry spokesman Fawad Aman tweeted.

A US defense official confirmed their departure, while the Taliban said they welcome the latest phase of the pullout. "Their full withdrawal will pave the way for Afghans to decide about their future between themselves," spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said.

One Afghan official said some local thugs and drug addicts attempted to loot equipment at the base, but were stopped by Afghan troops. "There will be no lootings as long as we are here... we will defend and protect our country," said Alifullah, an Afghan soldier guarding one of the base's gates.

The US military and Nato are in the final stages of winding up involvement in Afghanistan, bringing home an unspecified number of remaining troops by Biden's deadline.-- AFP

Our correspondent adds: Addressing a press conference in Rawalpindi, Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan said that Pakistan had closed its border with Afghanistan, adding that fencing had been done on major parts of the border.

He said that refugees could not come to the country like that in the past. Pakistan would not allow any country to use its soil for disturbing regional peace. He said now Pakistan stands for its honour and survival and will not allow any drone strikes in the country.

The minister said it had been decided that no base will be given to the United States in the country. He said according to International Air Transport Association rules, any plane can be allowed to land at our airport due to technical problem. The minister said Pakistan wants peace in Afghanistan and has already clarified its policy in this regard. “We are working for justice, humanity and sovereignty.” He said Prime Minister Imran Khan's stance on various issues was eulogised nationally and internationally.