Kabul, Mar 18 (Prensa Latina) Taliban forces attacked hideouts of the ISIS terrorist group in three areas of Mazar-e-Sharif, government spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid announced.
Hundreds of Public Forces Deployed to Guard Mazar-e-Sharif
Lawmakers from Balkh province in Afghanistan’s parliament and prominent political figures in Balkh on Tuesday said that hundreds of public uprising forces have been deployed in the main areas of Mazar-e-Sharif city to protect the city from a possible attack by the Taliban.
They said that the Taliban has been pushed back from the main gates of Mazar-e-Sharif, and they pledged that security will be maintained at any cost.
This comes as the Taliban has already taken control of seven districts centers in Balkh. In recent days, insurgents were seen intensifying their attacks in the outskirts of the city of Mazar-e-Sharif.
ANDSF Continues Clearance Operations in 3 Balkh Districts
The Afghan National Security and Defense Forces (ANDSF) are continuing clearance operations in Balkh, Chaharbolak and Shokgara districts in Balkh province, which are intended to push back the Taliban.
The Balkh police department meanwhile said that at least 12 villages were cleared of the Taliban in the operation.
Adel Shah Adel, a spokesman for Balkh police, said the Taliban sustained heavy casualties in the operations.
He said one security force member was killed and one more was wounded.
“Over 18 members of the opponents (Taliban) were killed and wounded and 42 others associated with the group were arrested,” said Adel Shah Adel, a spokesman for the Balkh police.