Afghan Chief of Army replaced amid escalating violence

The Afghan government has brought changes in key army positions amid intensified clashes between the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) and the Taliban militants across the country.

Commander of the Special Operations Corps General Hebatullah Alizai has been appointed as Chief of Army Staff, replacing General Wali Mohammad Ahmadzai.

Ahmadzai was removed as Chief of Army Staff after the Taliban advanced on major cities in the past week.

Meanwhile, General Sami Sadat commander of the 215 Maiwand Corps has been appointed as Commander of the Special Operations Corps, replacing Alizai.
This development comes as militants captured Baghlan’s capital Pul-e-Khumri and Badakhshan’s capital Faizabad city on Tuesday night, sources said.

In the meantime, as many as 20,000 families have been displaced and fled to Kabul due to ongoing conflict across the country.