Afghanistan: Suspected Taliban attack reported in Farah September 5

Event

An Afghan official has announced on Friday, September 6, that suspected Taliban militants have carried out an attack against the main police headquarters in Farah overnight (local time) on Thursday, September 5. Militants reportedly seized an army recruitment center near the police headquarters and set it on fire.

No casualties were immediately reported. Officials claimed that airstrikes were carried out against the terrorist group following the attack, which is the third Taliban attack against security forces that occurred on Thursday.

Similar Taliban attacks are to be anticipated in Afghanistan over the near term as US negotiators seek to finalize a deal with the militant group to withdraw American troops from the country.

Context

The attack came after a Taliban militant carried out a suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (SVBIED) attack on September 5 that killed 12 people, including two NATO soldiers, in Kabul. A similar attack took place outside an Afghan military base in Puli Alam (Logar province) on the same day.

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.

At least 16 people were killed and another 119 wounded after Taliban fighters launched a complex attack on Kabul's Green Village on Monday, September 2.

Advice

Individuals in Farah are advised to monitor the situation, avoid the affected area, liaise with their security partner, and adhere to instructions issued by local authorities and their home governments.

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