Taliban attack Afghan security forces in the north, killing 37

KABUL, Afghanistan – Taliban insurgents have launched separate attacks against Afghan security forces in the north, killing at least 37 people, provincial officials said on Monday.

Mohammad Yusouf Ayubi, head of the provincial council of Kunduz province, said that at least 13 security forces had been killed during an attack at a checkpoint in the Dashti Archi district, where 15 other security forces had been injured. The shooting began Sunday night and continued until Monday morning.

Meanwhile, in Jawzjan province, provincial police chief General Faqir Mohammad Jawzjani said the Taliban had attacked Khamyab district from different directions, forcing Afghan forces to withdraw from headquarters.

"There was intense fighting and we did not want civilian homes to be destroyed, nor civilian casualties," Jawzjani said. He said that at least eight policemen had been killed and three other policemen injured. Seven Taliban were killed and eight others wounded during the shooting, he added.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attacks in Kunduz and Jawzjan provinces.

The Taliban also killed 14 other Afghan police and pro-government militiamen in Dara Suf district of Samangan province, province spokesman Sediq Azizi said, adding that six others were also injured.

Azizi added that three Taliban fighters were killed and four others wounded in the Monday morning battle.

No one claimed responsibility for the attack in Samangan, but Azizi accused Taliban insurgents operating in the province of often targeting Afghan security forces and local pro-government militias.

In another news report from northern Sari Pul province, provincial police chief General Abdul Qayum Baqizai said the Taliban had attacked army checkpoints and pro-government militias near from Sari Pul.

Two pro-government militia fighters were killed and two others wounded, he said, but had no details of any casualties among the army.

"The Taliban attack has been postponed, but sporadic fighting is underway on the outskirts of the city," he added.

The Taliban have not yet commented on the fighting in Sari Pul province.

Since the June ceasefire that marked the Islamic holiday of Eid al Fitr, Taliban insurgents have increased attacks against Afghan security forces, killing hundreds of security forces in the country.

During the three-day ceasefire, Taliban photos were broadcast with Afghan security forces, singing and taking pictures. Mohammad Yaqub, the son of the Taliban founder, Mullah Mohammed Omar, circulated an audio tape condemning fraternization.

Since then, attacks on military installations have been unrelenting and, on several occasions, Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) have been dismantled and maneuvered. In successive reports, even the Washington supervisory body, the Inspector General for Reconstruction of Afghanistan (SIGAR), has identified weaknesses in the security forces, including desertions, inadequate training and corruption. .

Since 2014, Afghan national security forces have led the war against insurgents, with the United States and NATO providing support, support and training. However, the Taliban have become stronger and, according to the Inspector General, almost half of the country is under their direct control or deeply influenced by them.

In addition, a subsidiary of the Islamic State emerged and led blatant and increasingly deadly attacks, targeting mostly civilians and the country's Shia minority. The Taliban and ISIS affiliate are enemies and have attacked each other. The Taliban also denied any responsibility in the attacks on Shiites, which have been claimed by the IS.

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Associated Press author Kathy Gannon in Islamabad, Pakistan, contributed to this report.

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