NBC: Taliban assault on Ghazni kills 120 people; U.S. helps struggling Afghan forces
The U.S. is helping Afghan forces as they scramble to keep control of Ghazni.
KABUL, Afghanistan — A four-day assault by the Taliban on a key provincial capital has killed about 100 Afghan security forces, the country’s defense minister, Tariq Shah Bahrami, said Monday. Twenty to 30 civilians have been killed in the fighting, he said.
It is a major show of force by the Taliban as capturing Ghazni in the east of the country would cut off a key highway linking Kabul to the traditional insurgent heartland in the south.
The militants' multipronged militant assault overwhelmed Ghazni, a strategic city of 270,000 people barely 75 miles from the capital, Kabul. That so many fighters were able to mass and threaten the key town piles pressure on the government of President Ashraf Ghani.
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WNU Editor: The Afghan war has taken a turn for the worse .... America's longest war takes worrying new turn (Nick Paton Walsh, CNN)
Battle For Key Afghan City Of Ghazni
Afghan forces battle Taliban for key city for fourth day -- FOX News/AP
U.S. downplays "failed" Taliban siege as 100 Afghan forces killed -- CBS/AP
Battle For Key Afghan City Rages For Fourth Day -- RFE
Afghanistan: 20 civilians, 100 security forces killed in Ghazni -- Al Jazeera
Taliban seizes second district in Ghazni as provincial capital remains contested -- Long War Journal
Afghanistan sends special forces to beef up defense of threatened city -- Reuters
Afghanistan: Battle-torn Ghazni residents 'can't find food' -- BBC
UN Paints Grim Picture Of Ghazni Situation -- Tolo News
I've stated this many times here; this is a no win situation. The US should adopt a Strategy such that we have hardened bases and control the Air Space. We can have quick reaction forces to assist but tell the Taliban that even if they take over the Government, we'll be there!
ReplyDeleteYes the Af-Pak war is a loser and the US doesn't have a strategy to win, given 17 years to find one. Having said that, I bet CNN never investigated Obama's 8 years of efforts in Af-Pak. Nor his Libyan fiasco. Nor his Syrian fiasco. Nor his Iraq fiasco.
ReplyDeleteThese journo's would be more credible if they held the feet of politico's to the fire regardless of party or the crease of ones pants.
I would add to the fiasco the Ukraine fiasco. Regardless whose fault it was it was and is a fiasco. I pointed it out at the time calling it the dumbest move ever made by a major power. Events on the ground have proven my assessment to be accurate.
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