Taliban kill at least 17 soldiers to win control of Afghan army base

TALIBAN fighters overran a northern Afghan army base, officials said yesterday, killing at least 17 soldiers with dozens feared captured in a stinging blow to security forces already struggling to push insurgents from eastern Ghazni.

The fall of the base in Ghormach district of the volatile Faryab province came with security forces – who have struggled to hold back the Taliban since Nato combat troops pulled out in 2014 – already stretched by the days of fighting in Ghazni, a strategic provincial capital two hours from Kabul.

Militants gained control of the base after days of heavy fighting, according to Mohammad Hanif Rezaee, the army spokesman for northern Afghanistan. He said around 100 soldiers were on the base when it was first attacked on Sunday.

“It is a tragedy that the base fell to the enemy. Some soldiers were killed, some captured and some fled to nearby hills,” Mr Rezaee told AFP. At least 17 were killed, according to Ghafoor Ahmad Jawed, a defence ministry spokesman, while a local MP said Taliban fighters captured another 40 in the base.

“Preparations are under way to launch an operation to recapture the base,” said the ministry’s spokesman.

‘It is a tragedy that the base fell to the enemy. Some soldiers were killed, some captured and some fled’

Tahir Rehmani, the head of Faryab’s provincial council, said the base fell after the soldiers begged for reinforcements and air support from Kabul but were ultimately ignored. “They were too busy with Ghazni,” said Mr Rehmani.

Ghazni, further east and which the Taliban first assaulted late on Thursday, remains in government hands, officials have said. But the insurgents appeared entrenched there yesterday, according to residents who said they were burning buildings, killing civilians and firing on security forces conducting a clearing operation.

Afghan security forces, beset by killings, desertions and under intense pressure, have been struggling to beat back insurgents since Us-led Nato troops ended their combat mission in December 2014.

The attack on Ghazni is the largest tactical onslaught by the Taliban since an unprecedented truce in June brought fighting to a brief stop, providing battle-worn Afghans some relief. Analysts have said the insurgents may also be seeking to demonstrate strength as they come under increasing pressure since the ceasefire to join peace talks.

The assault in Ghazni and the fall of the base also illustrate the challenges facing Afghan forces as they battle insurgents across the country, said Abdul Hamid Sofof, an analyst.