Afghanistan: Taliban claims deadly attack in Uruzgan October 30

Event

Taliban militants claimed that their fighters killed 30 Afghan security personnel in ongoing clashes in Khas Uruzgan district (Uruzgan province) as of Tuesday, October 30. The same day, Ghazni provincial officials claimed that airstrikes from Afghan security forces killed at least 31 Taliban militants in Qarabagh district (Ghazni province) ahead of an expected security operation in the area. Further clashes between Taliban militants and Afghan security forces are to be expected in the near term.

Context

Uruzgan province remains under threat from Taliban militants, with Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) generally unable to patrol outside of provincial hubs. An increase of foreign fighters (e.g. Uzbek, Chechen and Pakistani fighters) has been recently noted in the Khas Uruzgan area in the eastern part of Uruzgan province. Additionally, the security situation in neighboring Zabul province, particularly between Qalat and Shah Joy districts, is progressively destabilizing such that the area may fall to Taliban militants (similar to Ghazni in August) unless reinforcements arrive from Kabul. 

Taliban and IS militants launch attacks on government personnel, security forces, and civilians in Afghanistan on a near-daily basis. Such assaults are likely intended to undermine the perceived capacity of Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF), and the Afghan government more broadly, to adequately provide security in the wake of the withdrawal of most US-led NATO forces from the country and in the aftermath of parliamentary and district elections held October 20.

Advice

Individuals in Afghanistan are advised to monitor the situation, remain vigilant for militant activity, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.

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.