Taliban captures more than 70 Afghan police in attack near the capital
The Afghan government is maintaining its unilateral ceasefire despite the current Taliban offensive.
Author Archives: Bill Roggio
Pakistani Taliban appoints new emir after confirming death of Mullah Fazlullah
The TTP appears to be returning to its roots by selecting Mufti Noor Wali Mehsud, a prominent commander from the Mehsud tribe, to lead it. The TTP also confirmed the death of Mullah Fazlullah.
30 Afghan soldiers killed in Taliban assault
An Afghan official claimed the Taliban used the ceasefire to scout the bases and launch its attack.
Emir of Pakistani Taliban thought killed in US airstrike
The Afghan Ministry of Defense claims Mullah Fazlullah was killed in a US airstrike in Kunar on June 13. His death has not been confirmed by the US or the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan. Fazlullah’s death, if confirmed, may not be as impactful as US, Pakistani, and Afghan officials would like to believe.
Taliban denies it is in ‘secret talks’ with NATO
Yet again, the Taliban stated that it will only negotiate after US and NATO forces withdraw from Afghanistan, and that everyone must accept the “ground realities,” meaning that the Taliban will rule the country.
Taliban overruns another district in northern Afghanistan
The move by the Taliban directly contradicts the top US and NATO general in Afghanistan’s assertion that the Taliban is “no longer attempting to gain new ground.”
Taliban blockade of Ghazni-Paktia highway enters second month
In early May, the Taliban shut down the main highway that links Ghazni and Paktia provinces in eastern Afghanistan. One month later, the Taliban continues to control the road and tax civilians as Afghan forces have been unable to secure the road.
Taliban operations span the entire country, Afghan Interior Ministry confirms
The Taliban are operating in all regions of Afghanistan and casualties among Afghan police have increased, according to the Ministry of Interior. This directly contradicts overly optimistic assessments by both Resolute Support and the Pentagon.
Taliban says negotiations are ‘pointless’ as long as coalition forces occupy Afghanistan
“Talking to impotent parties [the Afghan government] during the presence of occupying forces is pointless,” Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in an official statement released on Voice of Jihad.
Afghan forces withdraw from district center in Uruzgan as the Taliban attacks
The security situation in the south continues to deteriorate. An Afghan official admitted security forces abandoned the governor’s compound and police headquarters in Chora district. The Taliban claims it overran all 17 security outposts and controls the district center.
Taliban suicide bomber hits Afghan forces in Helmand
The Taliban claimed it killed more than 100 Afghan soldiers, policemen, and tribal fighters, while one Afghan official admitted 17 soldiers were killed and 21 more were wounded.
US strike hits Taliban ‘command and control node’ in Helmand
The Taliban denied that a command center was hit and claimed two civilian homes were destroyed in the strike.
New reports from Afghanistan give false hopes for peace
As US, European, and Afghan officials cling to the idea that the Taliban will negotiate a peace settlement to end the war in Afghanistan, a recent string of news articles would lead you to believe that the Taliban is actually willing to reach a compromise. However, these stories are highly misleading and give false hope […]
Taliban overruns second district in Ghazni
Security in Ghazni province has deteriorated rapidly over the past year. Of Ghazni’s 19 districts, the Taliban control five and contest nine more, according to information compiled by FDD’s Long War Journal. The provincial capital is threatened by the Taliban.
Pentagon spokesperson doubles down on ‘desperate’ Taliban comment
Dana White also denied the Taliban has the initiative and touted the fact that all six Afghan Army corps are now on the offensive as a sign of success. Except all six army corps have been on the offensive since last fall, and security has continued to deteriorate.
Afghan military identifies 7 provincial capitals ‘under pressure’
The Ministry of Defense identified six of the seven provincial centers that are threatened by the Taliban as Farah City, Faizabad in Badakhshan, Tarin Kot in Uruzgan, Kunduz City, Maimana in Faryab, and Pul-i-Khumri in Baghlan. The seventh city is likely Ghazni City or Lashkar Gah.
Taliban’s 2018 offensive encompasses all regions of Afghanistan
The Taliban appears to maintain the initiative throughout Afghanistan, while the Afghan military is forced to react to Taliban offensives, such as the latest incursion into Farah City.
Taliban claims it seizes 2 Afghan districts
Taliban claimed it took control of two districts, one in Badghis province and another in Ghazni. The Taliban has overrun five districts since it announced the beginning of its 2018 offensive.
US military kills ‘dual-hatted’ AQIS leader in eastern Afghanistan
Hazrat Abbas served as a leader for both al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent and the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan. AQIS was formed to unite disparate jihadist factions to fight under the banner of the Afghan Taliban.
As Taliban enters Farah City, Resolute Support wrongly claims Afghan government is in control
Video evidence emerging from the city shows Taliban fighters patrolling areas of the city, seizing weapons, and in control of government buildings.
Taliban launches coordinated assault on Farah City
The assault on Farah City should put to rest claims by the US military that the Taliban is desperate and losing ground in Afghanistan. Farah has been under threat for months.
Islamic State suicide team strikes tax office in Jalalabad
At least nine people were killed and more than 30 more were wounded in the latest attack by the Islamic State’s branch in Afghanistan.
Taliban storms police bases in western Afghanistan
At least 42 Afghan police and soldiers were killed during Taliban attacks in the troubled district of Bala Buluk in Farah province. Security in Farah remains tenuous.
Taliban activity in Ghazni City highlights deteriorating security in Afghanistan
Resolute Support has classified the the capital of Ghazni province as government control, yet it is clearly contested, and has been for some time. In Ghazni city, the Taliban collects taxes, dispenses justice, kills security personnel, and lives openly in one neighborhood.
Taliban overruns another district in the Afghan north
The Taliban overran the district of Tala Wa Barfak in the northern Afghan provinces of Baghlan. Two others have been seized by the Taliban in the past two weeks.
‘Desperate’ Taliban ‘has lost ground,’ Pentagon spokesperson wrongly claims
The Taliban is neither “desperate” nor is it “losing ground” in Afghanistan. Pollyanish press briefings cannot paper over the fact that things are currently not going well.
Afghan forces recapture northern district from Taliban
Afghan forces recaptured Kohistan district in the remote northern province of Badakhshan two days after it fell to the Taliban.
Taliban overruns district center in northeastern Afghanistan
The Taliban overran the district of Kohistan in the remote northeastern province of Badakhshan last evening after laying siege to it for several days.
Taliban contests 2 new Afghan districts
Two districts, one in Paktika and another in Badakhshan, that were previously assessed by Resolute Support as influenced by the government of Afghanistan are now at risk.
Mattis claims Taliban ‘cannot win at the ballot box’
Yet again, senior American officials display a stunning level of ignorance about the Islamic State and the Taliban. Elections are antithetical to jihadists’ belief of religious rule.