Afghan forces retake Kunduz after Taliban raid

By Shadi Khan Saif

KABUL, Afghanistan (AA) – Afghan special forces have managed to wrestle back control of the vulnerable northern city of Kunduz from Taliban fighters, who had managed to overrun the city almost exactly a year after pulling off a similar takeover of the city.

Afghan forces announced late Monday they had reclaimed the city after the Taliban earlier managed to break through and raise their flag in the center of capital of the Tajikistan-bordering Kunduz province.

According to the government, 25 Taliban fighters have been killed in the response and many more wounded.

Kunduz governor Assadullah Amarkhil, police chief Mohammad Qaseem and other high-ranking officials toured the city after the Taliban escaped, urging citizens to return to their daily routines despite residents having lived on edge since the Taliban took control of the city for several days last year.

Naeem Mangal, director of the city's public hospital told Anadolu Agency more than 50 civilians have been injured, including women and children.

Afghan forces also managed to reclaim Nawa district in restive Helmand province shortly after also losing it to the Taliban.

In a series of tweets, the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan also said the Afghan forces are back in control but they will continue to provide support where needed.

In June, U.S. President Barack Obama granted new powers for his U.S. forces to assist Afghan troops against the Taliban, even though the rest of NATO plays a more limited role after ending its combat mission in Afghanistan at the end of 2014.