Taliban Offensive Repulsed, Threat Continues

October 3^rd the Taliban took over the town of Nawa in the southern province of Helmand in Afghanistan after successfully detonating an improvised explosive device contained with a Humvee. After several hours of fighting Taliban forces gain controlled over Nawa by approximately 8:00 am local time.

The same day Kunduz, a northern province, was attacked in a raid by the Taliban. According to reports Afghan forces never allowed the Taliban to gain full control over Kunduz but police headquarters and other government areas were compromised.

Both Kunduz and Helmand are provinces with significant Taliban activity, their mission to gain territory in Afghanistan.

In early August of 2016 the Taliban took control of Nawa, including districts buildings and the management of national security building. By mid-August the Afghani government reentered the city and took back control.

In August 2016 the Taliban had control over 10 of the 14 Helmand’s provinces. Now they control 5 of the 14.  Helmand is a very significant territory as it is the main location in the country for the production of opium.

The fall of Kunduz in 2015 represented significant capture of an urban center, it was their first city seizure during the last 15 years of war. However, this successful advance did not last after the Taliban faced heavy US airstrikes, permitting the Afghan government to retake Kunduz within 15 days.

Press reports from Afghanistan as of October 4^th indicated that Nawa remained contested. supporting Afghan forces in Helmand and Kunduz. The Afghani military forced out the jihadi group out of Kunduz’s center with the help of US conducted airstrikes.

With President Ghani’s new financial aid of $3 billion and international support against the Taliban, it remains to be seen what their next move will be. Even with the most recent offensive blunted, the Taliban will continue to launch attacks in these areas.