Taliban muster for mass attack to take Kandahar

The Taliban have massed on the outskirts of Kandahar in preparation for an all-out assault to recapture a city that was once the movement’s capital and spiritual home.

The militants have infiltrated the suburbs of Afghanistan’s second city, with heavy fighting reported in southern and western neighbourhoods.

‘‘Fighting has intensified, the Taliban are so close and the situation is so bad,’’ Abduljalil Amin, head of the local peace and development committee, told The Times from inside Kandahar. ‘‘The Taliban front line is strong. Last night (Thursday) there were seven airstrikes to push them back.

‘‘There is no Eid celebration here. People are fleeing to other provinces, but many are trapped in their homes and lack access to food and water.’’

Local reports suggest the militants have already sent a wave of more than 20 suicide bombers into Kandahar that was repelled by Afghan forces. With reinforcements said to be arriving on the outskirts, a renewed assault is expected within days.

The United States military said yesterday that it had launched several airstrikes in support of Afghan government troops, including in the province of Kandahar. They are the first known operations since General Scott Miller relinquished his command of US forces and left the country last week.

Afghan commandos have also arrived to shore up Kandahar’s defences. Crucially, the government still holds the airport, allowing it to target Taliban fighters on the ground. Once dug into built-up areas, however, the insurgents will be tougher to dislodge without houseto-house fighting.

The encircling of Kandahar comes amid a lightning advance by the Taliban that has enabled them to lay siege to at least 10 cities across Afghanistan over the past month as the US completes its withdrawal from the country.