Afghanistan: Afghan troops battle Taliban in Kunduz for third day
Fighting between the Afghan army and Taliban continued for the third consecutive day in the northern city of Kunduz on Wednesday, forcing thousands of residents to flee.
Kunduz’s provincial police chief, Gen. Qasim Jungalbagh, said that the Taliban launched a series of fresh attacks on Afghan forces early on Wednesday morning. “Once again insurgents attacked our forces from two different directions and heavy battles are taking place to the south and east of the city,” Jungalbagh said.
US Special Forces and air support are backing Afghan ground troops. US military spokesman Charlie Cleveland described the fighting as “sporadic.” He said that since Tuesday night, “US forces have conducted two engagements from the air to defend friendly forces.”
According to Jungalbagh, 42 insurgents had been killed and 25 injured in the fighting so far. Five Afghan security personnel are believed to have been killed and 13 others wounded, according to the Defense Ministry.