Afghanistan: Taliban kills 25 Afghan soldiers in Helmand province March 1

Event

Taliban militants killed at least 25 Afghan soldiers in an attack on Camp Shorab in Helmand province early (local time) on Friday, March 1. Clashes between Afghan forces and Taliban fighters reportedly continued for nearly 20 hours until late Friday afternoon, with Afghan troops killing at least 20 militants before the attack was repelled. Similar Taliban attacks on security forces installations are to be expected in Helmand province and elsewhere in Afghanistan over the coming weeks amid renewed peace talks between US and Taliban representatives in Qatar, beginning on Saturday, March 2.

Context

The Taliban's March 1 attack in Helmand province was the third such attack aiming to wrest control of Camp Shorab over the preceding 48 hours, according to a security official in Kabul.

Taliban militants launch attacks on government personnel, security forces, and civilians in Afghanistan on a near-daily basis. Such assaults are, in part, 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 to gain leverage amid ongoing peace negotiations.

Advice

Individuals in Afghanistan are advised to monitor developments to the situation, remain vigilant for militant activity, and adhere to instructions and advice issued by their home governments.

The security environment in Afghanistan remains complex. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel.