Taliban Launch Offensive To Seize The Northern Afghan City Of Kunduz

Reuters: Taliban launch major push to retake northern Afghan city

Hundreds of Taliban insurgents have launched an offensive to seize the northern Afghan city of Kunduz, which they captured and held for several days last year, provincial officials said on Friday.

The offensive around Kunduz began only days after the Islamist group announced their annual spring offensive, vowing to launch large-scale attacks using suicide bombers and guerilla fighters to drive the Western-backed government from power.

Fighting broke out on Thursday in six districts in Kunduz province, a crucial northern stronghold close to the Tajikistan border, as well as around the provincial capital, with Afghan security forces battling militants through the night.

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Update #1: Afghan forces repel Taliban in Kunduz as spring fighting begins (AFP)
Update #2: Afghan Forces Fend Off Taliban Assault on Kunduz (VOA)

WNU Editor: This appears to be a coordinated attack by hundreds of Taliban fighters, and even though they have been repelled, it looks like the fight is only beginning.