Security News

Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens. Media sources are reporting that Taliban fighters are mounting an offensive in Badakhshan province. U.S. citizens present in this province, including the provincial capital of Fayzabad are strongly urged to consider departing the area immediately. Overseas Security Advisory Council,  U.S. Department of State, October 3, 2015.

ALP Members Injured. Six Afghan Local Police were injured during a suicide attack in northwestern Faryab province on Sunday, September 27, 2015. (Tolo News, Sep 27, 2015).

Wardoj District Taken by Taliban. While the world's eyes were on the battle for Kunduz the Taliban were busy taking another district in Badakhshan province. Badakhshan, like Kunduz province, is part of the northern Afghanistan border.

Afghan Cdr Dies in Wardak. A famed Afghan commander (not always liked by U.S. military) has died in Wardak province. Wardak province is one of the more heavily contested provinces in Afghanistan - I spent some time there in 2012-2013. Read more about this Afghan commander in "The bravest man I met in Afghanistan has died. Here's what he taught me", by Kevin Sieff, The Washington Post, October 2, 2015.

Some Above the Law? A recent news report describes a Rule of Law environment where some folks in Afghanistan feel free from the constraints of the law. Read "Charges That Some Are Above the Law in Afghanistan", Voice of America, September 30, 2015.

Major Jail Break.  Several weeks back Taliban insurgents stormed a prison in central Afghanistan - Ghani - freeing hundreds of inmates. Certainly a great victory for the insurgents and a stunning setback for the Afghan National Defense Security Forces (ANDSF). At least four Afghan police officers were killed and many more wounded during the attack. The insurgents detonated a vehicle bomb in front of the jail, fired rocket propelled grenades, and then six militants dressed in Afghan police uniforms entered the jail. Some reports indicate that more than 400 inmates were freed. Read more in "Taliban frees 350 inmates and kills police in Afghan jail raid", CNN, September 14, 2015.

Jurm District Under Siege. Badakhshan used to be a quiet province in years past but that has changed. Over the past four years insurgents have taken root in 12 of Badakhshan's 28 districts. Jurm is one of these districts. Read an extremely detailed account of the struggle for Jurm district in "The 2015 Insurgency in the North (2): Badakhshan's Jurm district under siege", Afghanistan Analyst Network, September 14, 2015.

Business Community Fears Kidnappings. Local businessmen in Kabul are angered by the governments inability to provide security for the city. Read more in a news report by Tolo News, September 14, 2015.