MoD rejects opposition’s focus in northern Afghanistan

Afghanistan Ministry of Defense (MoD) strongly rejects the opposition’s war focus in northern parts of Afghanistan.

Deputy spokesman of the defense ministry, Gen. Dawlat Waziri says War against oppositions are ongoing in 13 provinces of the country not just in northern part of Afghanistan.

“These wars are not new. I reject that the war is just only in Northern provinces of the country. We are fighting against oppositions in 13 provinces which includes Kunar, Ghazni, Zabul, Nangahar, Badakhshan and Kundoz provinces.”

Gen. Waziri said the Afghan forces are battling in Kunduz on their own and have not requested any backup from international forces. This year’s fighting season will be a major test for the Afghan forces, following the pullout at the end of last year of all foreign combat troops.

The recent insecurities in Northern provinces of the country raised concerns whether the oppositions focus war just in northern parts of Afghanistan.

Meanwhile the interior ministry warned of an influx of insurgents from neighboring Pakistan into northern Afghanistan in an attempt to destabilize what has mostly been a peaceful part of the country.

“The “terrorists” are coming from Pakistan, including foreign fighters — such as Chechens and Uzbeks — from other regional countries,” spokesman of interior ministry said.

Sidiq Sidiqi spokesman of the ministry of interior affairs noted that the insurgents are flooding into the northern Kunduz province, where the Taliban launched a major push over the weekend, closing in on the provincial capital, also called Kunduz.

The attack came just after the Taliban announced the start of their annual spring offensive. Kabul has sent in reinforcements to the area this week.

“The Taliban and the terrorists will not succeed in creating bases or a long-term threat in the northern part of the country,” Sediqqi told reporters in Kabul. He said several operations are underway in Kunduz, Baghlan and Badakhshan provinces, where Afghan forces far outnumbered militants.

Around 200 militants have been killed so far in Kunduz, Sediqqi said, adding that 12 Afghan soldiers have also died in the fighting. The insurgents were hiding in civilian homes in the villages, he added, and the troops were trying to be “careful to avoid civilian casualties.”

Reported by Hamid Sidiqi