Taliban gaining grounds in suburban areas of Farah city in Afghanistan
Kabul, Afghanistan: Intense fight between Taliban and Afghan security forces in suburban areas of Farah city in western Afghanistan is compelling thousands of people to leave this relatively peaceful province.
Taliban concentrated to this city after their successful campaign in bordering provinces of Heart and Helmand and any success in Farah province will surely excite Taliban to try to capture Nimroz province. Farah province borders bounded on the north by Herat, on the northeast by Ghor, the southeast by Helmand, the south by Nimroz, and on the west by Iran. It is the fourth largest province in Afghanistan.
Afghan media confirmed on Sunday that hundreds of Taliban have besieged the Pushtrod district centre of western Farah province, forcing thousands of families to leave their homes. Well coordinated attacks of Taliban on the district helped them to capture Kudar, Dukin, Faizabad, Gajgin, Chapak, Charmaq and Gosha villages. Reports coming from Farah suggested that Taliban captured tanks of Afghan National Security and enemies are using light to heavy weaponry in a bid to get full control of suburban areas of Farah city. Afghan forces have called reinforcements to rebut heavy attacks.
Afghan news agencies confirmed that 300 families from Dokin village had been displaced from the district centre to Farah City, the capital of the province. A large number of families from other areas of the district had also left their homes due to increasing insecurity.
Farah has not seen much fighting since the US backed overthrow of the Taliban in 2001, and is peaceful, relative to many parts of the country. Although there has been sporadic heavy combat in the Bala Baluk, and Gulestan districts in past also. Due to its proximity to the restive Helmand and Uruzgan provinces, Farah has experienced problems with roaming insurgent gangs moving through the province and occupying parts of the province for brief periods of time. The United States built a base at Farah Airport, which is being expanded and also houses the Afghan National Security Forces (ANFS).
