The Battle To Retake The Afghan City Of Ghazni Intensifies

Footage just in from #Ghazni city shows plumes of black smoke rising in the air as buildings burn while Taliban fighters roam the streets of a clearly battle-weary city. #Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/HdECnFRfyt

— TOLOnews (@TOLOnews) August 13, 2018

NPR: Surprise Taliban Attack Leads To Days Of Fighting, Hundreds Of Deaths

The Taliban's surprise attack Friday on the city of Ghazni has now killed around 100 members of Afghanistan's police and security forces and between 20 and 30 civilians, Afghan officials said Monday.

A U.S. military spokesman told NPR's Diaa Hadid that some 140 Taliban insurgents have also died – meaning the fighting has already cost nearly 300 lives since the Taliban launched its assault. Afghan officials differed in their account, saying nearly 200 Taliban fighters have been killed.

The Afghan military was launching a counteroffensive aimed at flushing Taliban militants out of Ghazni, a strategically important city that sits on a major highway less than 100 miles southwest of Kabul — and between the capital and Kandahar.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: No kidding .... Taliban offensive exposes fragile US hopes for Afghan peace (AP).

Update: They should feel more than just disappointment .... Taliban advance causes disappointment in Afghan government (DW).

More News On The Battle For The Afghan City Of Ghazni

Afghan Government Struggles to Oust Taliban From Strategic City - The Wall Street Journal -- WSJ
As Taliban Fight for Ghazni City in Afghanistan, Nearby Districts Fall -- The New York Times
Afghanistan forces beef up defense of flashpoint city -- Reuters
Taliban seizes second district in Ghazni as provincial capital remains contested -- Long War Journal
Residents trapped in houses as battle with Taliban in Ghazni takes its toll -- The Telegraph
More Than 300 Dead in Battles for Control of Key Afghan City -- VOA
Foreign fighters involved in assault on Ghazni, Afghan defense minister says -- Long War Journal
The Taliban have fought for days to take this capital back -- We Are The Mighty
US Air Force, Army’s 101st Airborne Division called in to help defend major Afghan city -- Military Times
In Pictures: NATO RSM Photos depict Ghazni city situation amid clashes -- Khaama