Afghan forces evacuate Musa Qala district in Helmand

Afghan forces have pulled out from Musa Qala district in southern Helmand province of Afghanistan, a security officials has revealed.

The commander of the Afghan army’s 215th corps, Mohammad Moeen Faqir, has told Reuters news agency that governmental troops had been ordered to pull back from Roshan Tower, their main base in Musa Qala, as well as other checkpoints to reinforce Gereshk.

A local representative has warned of further collapses as he believes Musa Qala is a strategic district of Helmand province.

“Now that the government has withdrawn its forces from this district, we will see Kajaki, Gereshk and Sangin collapsing very soon,” said deputy provincial council member Abdul Majid Akhundzada to Reuters.

There was no comment from the ministry of defense in Kabul, but Abdul Jabar Qahraman, presidential envoy for security affairs in Helmand has said they have “learnt there was no need to continue the fight in that area”.

Taliban militants, who have been fighting for the control of Musa Qala district in the restive and poppy growing Helmand province, are yet to make comment.