Taliban captures Afghan district once protected by British troops

THE Taliban has overrun and captured the opium-rich district centre of Musa Qala in Helmand province, which was once protected by British soldiers, in yet another sign that Afghan security forces are struggling to hold their own.

British and US forces led the fight against the Taliban in Musa Qala for several years prior to their withdrawal from Helmand in October last year. More than 20 British soldiers died to protect the desolate town, located in Afghanistan’s volatile south.

Officials fear that the fall of the district, once a key Nato position, could help the militants topple adjoining districts, tightening their grip on northern Helmand. According to Mohammad Sharif, Musa Qala’s governor, Taliban fighters had ominously circled the district centre for the past five days.

Mr Sharif said he pleaded for help from the Afghan government, but no assistance was dispatched.

At around 11pm on Tuesday, “more than 100 Taliban fighters attacked,” Mr Sharif told The Daily Telegraph. “No one supported us.” Local forces were overwhelmed and forced Mr Sharif and other residents to flee, he said.

The head of Helmand’s provincial council, Haji Mohammad Karem Atal, confirmed that at least 25 Afghan army soldiers and police died in the assault and more than 40 were injured. The Taliban have reportedly since occupied the district governor’s compound, the hospital, and police station.

According to provincial officials, all contact with the Musa Qala district centre has been cut off, and it has been impossible to confirm the safety of residents left behind.

Mr Sharif said he and dozens of others were crossing the desert to make their way to Gereshk, a town south of Musa Qala. He claimed the Taliban were still in pursuit of the group and he feared for their safety.

The Taliban have been threatening Musa Qala and neighbouring districts in past months, emboldened by the drawdown of Nato troops, who maintain a small number of coalition forces in Helmand’s capital, Lashkar Gah.

Musa Qala was the scene of some of the fiercest fighting during the nine years British troops were in Helmand.

When the town was wrested from Taliban control in 2007, after a major operation involving 4,000 British, US and Afghan soldiers, Gordon Brown, the then prime minister, hailed it as a major breakthrough.

But despite more than a decade of Western training, the Afghan security forces have struggled to hold their own. Mr Sharif added: “Lashkar Gah is now under threat. Now that they have Musa Qala, the floodgates will be open.”