Taliban launch major assault on outskirts of Afghanistan's Helmand Province

(Karachi) In a recent development, Taliban launched a major assault on the outskirts of the capital of southern Helmand Province, local media stated on Monday. There are also reports that the Taliban also attacked the Nad-e Ali and Nahr-e Siraj districts in the region.

The attack comes as both the Taliban and Afghan government are in the process of taking the peace talks forward. So far, there has been little progress in intra-Afghan talks since it began in mid-September in Doha, Qatar.

As per officials, several families, including some pro-government tribal leaders and police officers, have fled their homes to escape the fighting. According to local media reports, the city's electricity supply has also been cut.

Taliban Launches Major Attack On Outskirts Of Provincial Capital: https://t.co/nJLQrtRFKH via @GandharaRFE #Afghanistan #Lashkargah #Helmand #Taliban

— RFE/RL Gandhara (@GandharaRFE) October 12, 2020

Provincial Governor Spokesperson Omar Zwak and Councilor Hayatullah Mayar said that the fierce clashes are under way in the outskirts of Lashkargah region.

Reportedly, recent clashes between the Afghan security forces and Taliban claimed several lives, including those of the civilians. However, the exact count of the casualties are yet to be known.

The officials said police officers at some checkpoints in the outskirts of the city have left their positions without any resistance as part of a "tactical retreat."

The Taliban, however, has not yet commented on the clashes nor responded on the matter, media reported.

Meanwhile, in view of the deteriorating situation, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani had a telephonic conversation with Helmand's governor, saying "enemies’ attacks on Helmand will cost them heavily."

Earlier, United States President Donald Trump received an unusual endorsement from the Afghan Taliban for his re-election bid. In a telephonic interview, Taliban Spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said: "We hope he will win the election and wind up US military presence in Afghanistan.”

The comments from Taliban side comes days after Donald Trump announced he wants to bring all US troops home from Afghanistan by Christmas.

Trump's plan not only came as a surprise to US administration officials but also for head of Afghanistan’s High Council for National Reconciliation Abdullah Abdullah. He said a “premature” withdrawal of US troops would have negative consequences for the war-torn country.

There are now fewer than 5,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan, and national security adviser Robert O’Brien has said that number would drop to 2,500 by early next year.

A deal was struck between the United States and the Taliban in February in which it was agreed that 5,000 Taliban prisoners will be released from Afghan prisons before peace talks between the militant group and the government.

On August 10, Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani issued a decree to release the final batch of prisoners demanded by the Taliban as a condition to move to peace talks.

Later, the Afghan government released the remaining Taliban prisoners, kicking of intra-Afghan peace talks.