Death of famed Afghan commander in Taliban massacre highlights the country’s struggles and fears

[Valin]

Washington Post

Pamela Constable

June 20, 2021

KABUL — He was a general's son, a U.S.-trained officer with a dazzling academic record and a daring military reputation.

Col. Sohrab Azimi, a field commander in Afghan special forces that often rescue troops and retake outposts from Taliban attacks, symbolized the country's best hope to fend off an insurgent takeover as U.S. troops began to withdraw from the fight.

Azimi, 31, and his squad of 22 men were massacred Wednesday by Taliban forces while defending a base in northern Faryab province and waiting for reinforcements.

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H/T Rantberg

[Valin]

Taliban enters Kunduz City, seizes control of 16 districts

Bill Roggio

June 20, 2021

The Taliban continues to drive Afghan security forces from districts throughout Afghanistan and has entered a northern city as Afghan forces are either surrendering or withdrawing from key administrative centers and security outposts. Sixteen districts in 9 provinces have fallen under Taliban control between June 18 and June 20, while Taliban forces have entered Kunduz City.

The Afghan security forces have so far been unable to halt the onslaught, particularly in the north, where the Taliban has the momentum and is dictating the pace of the fighting. Afghan military and police units are either abandoning the district centers, and in some cases military bases, or are surrendering them to the Taliban. Afghan forces have only been able to retake control of three districts since May 1.

The Taliban’s offensive in the north is especially troubling, as these provinces are home to many important Afghan government power brokers. If northern provincial capitals remain under Taliban threat and entire provinces are left in danger of falling to the Taliban, the Afghan government will be forced to redeploy forces from the south and east, or risk losing large regions in the north.

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