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Taliban attack: Afghan forces struggle retake Kunduz | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Heavy fighting is continuing in the Afghan city of Kunduz, one day after government forces launched an attack to reclaim it from the Taliban. | |
Two US air strikes on Tuesday halted an attempt by insurgents to seize the airport, the army's stronghold. | Two US air strikes on Tuesday halted an attempt by insurgents to seize the airport, the army's stronghold. |
Afghanistan's spy agency says the strikes killed the Taliban leader in the province and his deputy, but the Taliban has denied this. | Afghanistan's spy agency says the strikes killed the Taliban leader in the province and his deputy, but the Taliban has denied this. |
The capture of Kunduz represents the militants' biggest victory since 2001. | The capture of Kunduz represents the militants' biggest victory since 2001. |
On Tuesday the United States acknowledged the seizure of Kunduz as a setback, but says it remains confident that Afghan security forces can re-take the northern city. | On Tuesday the United States acknowledged the seizure of Kunduz as a setback, but says it remains confident that Afghan security forces can re-take the northern city. |
Overnight there were clashes around the city, but it remains unclear just how much of it remains under government or Taliban control. | Overnight there were clashes around the city, but it remains unclear just how much of it remains under government or Taliban control. |
Read more on the battle for Kunduz | |
Why were militants posing for selfies? | |
The significance of Kunduz lies in its strategic location at the centre of drug-smuggling routes | The significance of Kunduz lies in its strategic location at the centre of drug-smuggling routes |
Taliban overrun Kunduz Images of how the Taliban suddenly overwhelmed the city | Taliban overrun Kunduz Images of how the Taliban suddenly overwhelmed the city |
Mullah Mansour's battle to be Taliban leader After all the disagreements, the Taliban says it has rallied around its new leader | Mullah Mansour's battle to be Taliban leader After all the disagreements, the Taliban says it has rallied around its new leader |
Who are the Taliban? A guide to the complexities and conflicts within the militant group | Who are the Taliban? A guide to the complexities and conflicts within the militant group |
Sayed Sarwar Hussaini, a spokesman for Kunduz's police chief, told Reuters: "Hundreds of Taliban are killed and their dead bodies are on (the) streets." | Sayed Sarwar Hussaini, a spokesman for Kunduz's police chief, told Reuters: "Hundreds of Taliban are killed and their dead bodies are on (the) streets." |
The Afghan defence ministry claimed the town's police headquarters and prison had been recaptured, after militants released hundreds of prisoners when they took the city on Monday. | The Afghan defence ministry claimed the town's police headquarters and prison had been recaptured, after militants released hundreds of prisoners when they took the city on Monday. |
But Taliban-released video showed militants in the town showing off seized tanks, armoured vehicles, police cars and Red Cross vans. | But Taliban-released video showed militants in the town showing off seized tanks, armoured vehicles, police cars and Red Cross vans. |
An eyewitness told the BBC that Taliban reinforcements had also arrived, with the situation too dangerous for locals to leave. | An eyewitness told the BBC that Taliban reinforcements had also arrived, with the situation too dangerous for locals to leave. |
Residents, nervous of both the Taliban and the possibility of street-fighting in the battle for the city, are largely staying indoors. | Residents, nervous of both the Taliban and the possibility of street-fighting in the battle for the city, are largely staying indoors. |
The Taliban's new leader, Mullah Akhtar Mansour, said the government should admit defeat. | The Taliban's new leader, Mullah Akhtar Mansour, said the government should admit defeat. |
President Ashraf Ghani, who completed his first year in office on Tuesday, said in a televised address that "progress" was being made recapturing Kunduz, but security forces had been hampered by the Taliban using civilians as human shields. | President Ashraf Ghani, who completed his first year in office on Tuesday, said in a televised address that "progress" was being made recapturing Kunduz, but security forces had been hampered by the Taliban using civilians as human shields. |
The assault on Monday was swift and took Afghan forces by surprise. | The assault on Monday was swift and took Afghan forces by surprise. |
As darkness fell, heavily armed fighters crossed fields to attack the city from multiple directions. They quickly overwhelmed several of the police checkpoints defending the perimeter of the town. | As darkness fell, heavily armed fighters crossed fields to attack the city from multiple directions. They quickly overwhelmed several of the police checkpoints defending the perimeter of the town. |
They then captured key buildings, freed about 500 prisoners from the city's jail and forced officials and troops to retreat to the airport. | They then captured key buildings, freed about 500 prisoners from the city's jail and forced officials and troops to retreat to the airport. |
Kunduz province has seen a number of attacks since April, with the Taliban joining forces with other insurgents. | Kunduz province has seen a number of attacks since April, with the Taliban joining forces with other insurgents. |
Nato ended its combat mission in Afghanistan in December, withdrawing most of its troops, apart from a 13,000-strong residual force used for training and counter-terrorism operations. | Nato ended its combat mission in Afghanistan in December, withdrawing most of its troops, apart from a 13,000-strong residual force used for training and counter-terrorism operations. |
Militant violence has increased across Afghanistan since the departure of most Western forces. | Militant violence has increased across Afghanistan since the departure of most Western forces. |
Are you in Kunduz? Have you been affected by the violence in Afghanistan? Let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories. | |
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