Taliban pushed back from Badghis capital, Badghis governor confirms

Badghis governor Hassamuddin Shams has confirmed that at the height of clashes between the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) and the Taliban, insurgents broke through the prison gate in the provincial capital of Qala-e-Naw and freed the prisoners.

However, according to Shams, the security forces were quick to intervene and have since recaptured about 80% of the inmates.

Shams also said most of the Taliban fighters have retreated from the city but clashes are still ongoing in some parts of Qala-e-Naw.

Earlier Wednesday, Shams said that all six districts in Badghis had completely fallen to the Taliban and that the group had entered Qala-e-Naw.

He said Qadis district was the last to fall and was seized Wednesday morning by the Taliban.

Sources meanwhile said that on Tuesday night, five Badghis government officials along with dozens of security forces joined the Taliban.

Acting defense minister General Bismillah Mohammadi meanwhile said on Wednesday afternoon that the intensity of the war is understandable and that this is not the first time that the people of Afghanistan are going through a difficult military phase.

“We are now at a critical and crucial military stage,” Mohammadi said.

He also assured the people that Afghan security forces, along with the people’s uprising forces that have mobilized are defending their country.