Afghanistan’s situation will change in six months, says President

On Aug 3, 2021

AFGHANISTAN: Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani has said the violence-hit country’s situation will see a change within the next six months as he emphasised that the security of cities is his government’s priority. Addressing a virtual Cabinet meeting, Ghani said on Sunday the Taliban has become “more cruel and more oppressive” in the last two decades.

“They have no wish for peace, for prosperity, or progress; we want peace but they want surrender (subdued people and government). They will not engage in meaningful negotiations unless the situation changes on the battlefield; therefore, we should have a clear stance. For this, there is a need for a countrywide mobilization,” Ghani was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

Ghani’s comments came as Afghan forces fought and bombed Taliban fighters and positions on Sunday as the group mounted offensives in major cities across the country. The Taliban also attacked the airport in Kandahar, the second-largest city of Afghanistan and the former stronghold of the insurgents, with at least three rockets overnight with the group’s spokesperson saying that the aim was to thwart airstrikes conducted by Afghan Government Forces. Afghanistan security forces have lead operations and counter-attacks against the Taliban in Ghazni, Kandahar, Farah, Jowzjan, Balkh, Samangan, Helmand, Takhar, Kunduz, Baghlan, Kabul and Kapisa provinces. The Taliban has captured dozens of districts, seized more land and taken control of key border crossings with neighbouring countries as US and NATO troops pull out of the country.

– THE HINDUSTAN TIMES