Uruzgan Province Under Attack

One of the embattled regions in Afghanistan is the central province of Uruzgan. The Taliban have been focusing on this province for a good part of the summer fighting season. The Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) have lost several bases in the province. One of these bases was a compound for a battalion of the Afghan National Civil Order Police (ANCOP) - a SWAT-like unit of the Ministry of Interior (MoI). Over 70 ANCOP members surrendered their base to the Taliban. In one week three Afghan Army posts have surrendered to the Taliban. Over twenty police outposts have been abandoned and some Afghan police have joined the Taliban.

The Afghan Army has suffered from heavy casualties, decreased recruitment and problems with retention. The Taliban have focused on Uruzgan province over the past few months; while also going on the offensive in Helmand and Kunduz provinces.

News stories of the fighting in Uruzgan province:
"Taliban Gain Ground in Afghanistan as Soldiers Surrender Their Posts", by Taimoor Shah and Rod Nordland, The New York Times, October 30, 2016.

---