Afghanistan: Fighting continues in and around Ghazni August 12 /update 3

Event

Fighting between Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) and Taliban militants continued for a third day in and around Ghazni (Ghazni province) on Sunday, August 12, with conflicting reports of who is in control of key areas as communications in and out of the city remain cut. Local reporting indicates that the Afghan National Police (ANP) headquarters, earlier reclaimed by ANSF, had been retaken by Taliban forces on Sunday. Ghazni Prison had also reportedly fallen to Taliban forces as of Sunday morning, liberating 150-300 prisoners - including imprisoned members of the Taliban - now believed to have joined the Taliban offensive. However, the headquarters for the National Directorate for Security (NDS), Afghanistan's intelligence agency, and the Provisional Governor's Compound have reportedly been secured by ANSF. The United States military is stepping up its support to repel the Taliban assault, with reports on Sunday that the US had deployed a B-1 heavy bomber to provide additional air support for Afghan troops; the plane carried out ten airstrikes on Taliban targets on Sunday, according to military officials. Earlier on Sunday, the chief of staff for the Afghan army asserted that Afghan forces would retake all of Ghazni within two days, but that progress has been slow in an effort to minimize civilian casualties. 

Access in and out of Ghazni remains severed, with Taliban militants targeting all vehicle movement, and roads either the focus of fighting, heavily mined, or controlled by Taliban forces. ANSF reinforcements have also reportedly come under attack by Taliban forces on arterial routes into the city. Telecommunications and electricity services in Ghazni remain cut, and food, water, and medical supplies are believed to be running critically low. 

Unconfirmed reports indicate that over 100 Afghan soldiers and civilians have been killed and many more wounded in the fighting; however, this number could easily rise as more information becomes available. Early reports indicate that the death toll among Taliban fighters could be up to 150 thus far. 

Meanwhile, Taliban forces have threatened to launch assaults on the nearby Saydabad and Jaghatu district centers, the surrounding areas of which are largely under Taliban control, overnight on August 12-13 if ANSF soldiers do not withdraw. 

Context

Taliban militants launched an attack on Ghazni on Friday, August 10, taking control of several parts of the city amid heavy clashes with Afghan security forces (backed by US air support). Ghazni is the second major Afghan city to be attacked this year, following a May 2018 assault on Farah. The Taliban also previously assaulted Kunduz in 2015 and 2016.

Taliban militants have advanced near Ghazni in recent months, threatening the city by clashing with security forces in adjacent areas. Ghazni is situated on the Ring Road, the overland route that links Kabul to Kandahar, the country's second-largest city.

Advice

Individuals in Afghanistan are advised to avoid the Ghazni city area and to monitor developments to the situation.

The security environment in Afghanistan remains complex. Although travel is possible in some areas, other areas should be considered strictly off-limits. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel.