Taliban declares spring offensive in Afghanistan
The Taliban militants have announced the start of their annual spring offensive against Afghan security forces and the US-led foreign troops across the war-torn country.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Taliban warned Afghan officials and foreign forces of a new wave of attacks, starting on Friday.
The Taliban are “going to launch the spring operations under the inspirational name of ‘Azm’ (determination) at 5 am [local time (0030 GMT)] on 24th April 2015,” the militant group said in a statement.
The statement added that attacks during the coming fighting season would target US-led military bases and convoys. It warned that Afghan government installations, officials and politicians will be also targeted.
The Taliban militants have already stepped up violent attacks on foreign and government targets in recent weeks.
The season of spring and the melting of snow on the mountains along the border with Pakistan has marked a significant upsurge in the fierce fighting between the Taliban and the US-led NATO forces.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani recently expressed concern about the country's security issues as the so-called fighting season with Taliban militants looms. Ghani predicted a difficult spring regarding the security of the country.
The United States and its allies invaded Afghanistan in 2001 as part of Washington’s so-called war on terror. The offensive removed Taliban from power, but insecurity still remains across the country.
The US-led combat mission in Afghanistan ended on December 31, 2014. However, at least 13,500 foreign forces, mainly from the United States, have remained in the country in what Washington calls a support mission.
JR/HMV/SS
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