AFGHANISTAN-KANDAHAR: TALIBAN INTENDS TO BESEIGE KANDAHARD, IN ORDER FOR IT TO FALL INTO THEIR HANDS

AFGHANISTAN: TALIBAN SETS ITS SIGHTS ON KANDAHAR

Helmand Province, 1 Dec. (AKI) - (by Syed Saleem Shahzad) - Afghanistan's volatile Helmand province is shaping up to be the launchpad for the Taliban's ambitious offensive to regain control, five years after their ouster by US troops. In more than 12 of the 17 districts there is growing grassroots support for Taliban-led insurgents whose recent savage suicide bomb campaign appears a prelude to a further offensive. An investigation by Adnkronos International (AKI) over 10 days in the region uncovered a strategy to besiege Kandahar, cutting it off from the rest of the country, before launching an all-out battle to gain control of the city next year.

The fall of Kandahar has been significant in Afghanistan since the 18th century, when it was a starting signal to mobilize troops for the seizure of the Kabul throne. The Taliban fighters have opened up their battle fronts near the major Herat-Kandahar Highway and the apparent strategy is to establish a stronghold with the aim of cutting off Kandahar, the main southern city.

After the gruelling winter, traditionally a time for regrouping, the Taliban fighters would launch a full offensive to capture the city where the bulk of the NATO deployment is Canadian.

Canadians have been on the receiving end of suicide bombings, car bomb attacks, kidnappings and ambushes in recent months.

One of those behind the new strategy is Taliban commander Qari Hazrat. He is the younger brother of Abdul Khaliq, the slain commander of the Hizb-i-Islami mujahadeen led by Hekmatyar, and commands hundreds of fighters in Sangin and Gresh districts, close to the Herat-Kandahar Highway.

Qari, 33, a tall pallid figure, is one of the most important commanders of the regrouped Taliban movement, where a new generation of young leaders is emerging.

"At present, you can see we have besieged NATO forces based around Sangin. They have control only in their base. Everything outside is ours," he told AKI.


Pertinent Links:

1) AFGHANISTAN: TALIBAN SETS ITS SIGHTS ON KANDAHAR