Fighting Reported in 20 Provinces in Past 24 Hours

Fighting between the Afghan security forces and the Taliban reportedly continued in at least 20 provinces across the country in the past 24 hours including Ghazni, Takhar, Kandahar, Helmand and Baghlan provinces.

In the latest incidents of violence, several rounds of rockets hit Maimana city, the center of Faryab province, and PD5 of Lashkargah city has also fallen to the Taliban.

In the western province of Herat, local officials said that the security forces have imposed a nighttime curfew on Herat city to help thwart Taliban threats.

“The Afghan security and defense forces continue with their operations by air and on the ground regularly against Taliban’s positions. The Taliban’s casualties have increased than ever before, territories are being liberated each day from the Taliban’s control,” said Fawad Aman, deputy spokesman for the Ministry of Defense.

“The people have grave concerns about the Taliban’s mortar attacks on Maimana city, the people want the Taliban to stop these mortar attacks on Maimana city, because the people are killed in these attacks,” said Massoud Adil, a resident in Maimana.

“The people are suffering because of mortar attacks by the Taliban,” said Abdul Qader Joya, a resident in Maimana.

“I want to reassure the people of Herat to not be worried about their security–we will fight for our country, national pride and Islamic values until our last drop of blood,” said Taimoor Shah Tarin, a police officer in Herat.

One resident said that taxis should be allowed an exception in the curfew:

“Taxis are carrying patients at night and must be an exception at night, they must be allowed to ride around,” said Mohammad Asif, a resident in Herat.

“The security of Herat city is stable, the security belts around the city are stable and they will be strengthened, there are no security concerns in Herat city, the people are continuing their routine life,” said Abdul Saboor Qane, governor of Herat.

According to the statistics by the Afghan Ministry of Defense, in the past 24 hours the security forces have killed 189 Taliban fighters and wounded another 140.

The Taliban have not commented on their casualties.