Afghanistan repelled Taliban attack on provincial capital Baghlan

MOSCOW, August 9. Afghan security forces have repelled an attack by the radical Taliban * on the administrative center of Baghlan province in northeastern Afghanistan, Defense Ministry spokesman Fawad Aman said in a statement. The Taliban was previously reported to be shelling the provincial capital Baghlan. It was noted that battles between government forces and militants began on Monday night in the city of Puli-Khumri, the administrative center of the province. Taliban announced US strikes on civilian targets in Afghanistan «Tonight, the Afghan Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) and public resistance forces repulsed a Taliban attack on Puli Khumri, central Baghlan province. In retaliation, about 100 militants were killed and injured.» , — the message says. In Afghanistan, the confrontation between the government forces and the Taliban has been continuing for several years. In recent months, the Taliban have seized large swaths of rural and border areas and launched attacks on major cities. The escalation is taking place against the backdrop of the withdrawal of American troops, which the Russian Foreign Ministry called recognition of the failure of Washington's mission in Afghanistan. The Taliban entered the Afghan provincial capital of Samangan, a source said. In 2020, Washington and the Taliban * signed in Doha the first peace agreement in more than 18 years of war. It provides for the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan in 14 months and the beginning of an inter-Afghan dialogue after the exchange of prisoners. However, these negotiations have not yet progressed beyond a few «set-up» meetings. * Terrorist organization banned in Russia