11 Taliban killed in different incidents in Afghanistan
KABUL: At least 11 Taliban were killed and several others injured in different incidents on Wednesday in Afghanistan.
In Kunduz province, five Taliban were killed and six others injured in an armed clash with security forces. According to District Chief, Mahbubullah Sayyedi, the clashes erupted early morning when Taliban stormed a joint Afghan army and police checkpoint. He confirmed that two Afghan soldiers were also killed and five others injured in the incident.
Meanwhile, six Taliban were killed and two others injured during airstrikes in Zabul and Kandahar provinces.
Also Read: Airstrikes kill 17 Taliban in Afghanistan
US withdraws troops from five Afghanistan bases
The United States has withdrawn its troops from five bases in Afghanistan and reduced the size of its forces as part of the agreement reached with the Taliban.
Chief Pentagon Spokesperson, Jonathan Hoffman, in a statement urged all sides to reduce violence and embark on intra-Afghan negotiations capable of achieving a negotiated and lasting peace for Afghanistan.
On Jul 14, the United States had said its landmark deal with the Taliban had entered the next phase.
In a Tweet, the US special representative on Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad had said, the Washington had worked hard to carry out first phase of its commitments under the agreement, including to reduce troops and depart five bases.
He had said as the deal entered its “next phase”, Washington’s approach would be based on certain conditions.
He had said, “We will press for completion of prisoner releases, reduction of violence and progress in intra-Afghan negotiations.”
Meanwhile, Taliban welcomed the cut in US forces, but claimed that American troops had frequently carried out bombings in non-combat zones and “offensives” in support of the Kabul government.
