Why Kunduz Matters for Taliban?

…by  Masud Wadan, for VT

Finally after months of besieging Kunduz city, the Taliban seized the city on Monday, which is marking the first time the militant group seized a major city since 2001, when US-led invasion overthrew Taliban regime.

Kunduz was a heavily embattled province and it was difficult for such a great number of Taliban rebels to break through the security checkpoints into the city. It is saidthe Taliban fighters had already penetrated into the city earlier on the peaceful days of Eid.

The raid was plotted for achieving many objectives. First, the military-cleared city allowed them to comfortably loot millions of dollars worth military equipments and vehicles. The Taliban militants didn’t suffice on this nor abided by their claim they work for the public welfare by intruding into public houses, shops, jewelries, stealing belongings, raping women and brutally killing innocent civilians.

Second, the Taliban broke into the city jail and freed around 620 inmates including Taliban affiliates and drug smugglers, spoiling years of security authorities’ efforts. Third, they managed to find and assassinate tens of targeted opponents and hardly struck people, media, social organizations, civil societies and women by intimidating and spreading fright which may leave far-reaching impacts in the region and muffle the voices against the Taliban.

Kunduz raid was a large-scale attack which was an “unprecedented” incident of its kind in the country since the collapse of the Taliban. The raid posed the Taliban’s powerful presence in the region and drew world attention.

Kunduz raid reminded the people of the Taliban invasion on Kabul in 1996 when they entered the city from many directions. It is not acceptable to one’s mind that how could Taliban rebels so easily raid a city, where thousands of security forces are deployed and security officials have a prior knowledge of a possible attack. For a while, the city had turned chaotic where insurgents were riding military vehicles and roaming at large. This is globally a big shame for the NUG leaders. Their loose policy on terrorism is the same as was the policy of Hamid Karzai.

It was clear that the Taliban did not want to grip the control over the city for long, nor they could. On pretext of not causing harm to civilians security authorities retreated from the city without resistance. The city was apparently left uncontrolled for rebels to loot the government and public properties and make progress to even the banks, despite government could conduct an “immediate counterattack”.

A day after attack on Tuesday, international forces in Afghanistan launched airstrikes on the Taliban targets in order to assist Afghan security forces retake the city, confirmed by Biran Tribus, spokesman for U.S forces in Afghanistan

This issue could also raise the involvement of drug Mafia in the raid as they have upper hand on government system and planned many schemes of attack on prisons so far in a bid to free their jailed accomplices. No doubt, ground was paved for the escape of a flock of the Taliban associates and drug smugglers which was amongthe prime objectives of the city raid.

This happens particularly when Taliban fighters fell short of personnel. Such incidents have occurred many times in the past such as in Kandahar, Zabul and Ghazni provinces where hundreds of inmates were freed with the alleged cooperation of relevant government authorities.

Still in question is that can foreign elements plot such a big attack single-handedly? The answer is obviously “No”. Regional intelligence agencies have secret agents within key security organizations. Without their assistance it is not possible for a suicide bomber to penetrate the most secured area of Kabul. Such raids areplanned by the Taliban’s internal and external masterminds to storm military bases and take military supplies along to their sanctuariesin order to keep up flames of war in the country.

After attack, reinforcements were in stand-by for hours to receivecounteroffensive order until the Taliban fighters fully packed up stolen thingsto their destinations. This situation of government’s lack of concern has even “demoralized” Afghan soldiers to bravely and passionately fight the militants. Yet many Afghan troops have walked off the duty after knowing internal hands behind the sustained conflict.

Some government authorities including chairman of Afghan parliament has urged Afghan leaders to immediately respond to the tragedy in Kunduz and blamed the provincial governor for dealing with organizers of the attack. The sudden disappearance ofthe governor and absence of other top security authorities in the province at the time of attack as well as delayed military reaction implies the “secret deals” have been made between internal and foreign parties. Top level security authorities including NDS chief and acting defense minister who appeared in a press conference in Kabul on Tuesday told media that:

“No high-level deal is made and blamed the local low-level security authorities for neglecting their duty and added that the investigation into the incident is underway and they will share their findings with people”

In all, their remarks didn’t convince the audience of fact and fueled skepticism among common people of Afghanistan.

At the global level reactions, American Senator John McCain criticized the US forces drawdown from Afghanistan. McCain has opposed Obama’s policy of complete withdrawal of its troops from Afghanistan, he said:

“Kunduz attack is the latest manifestation of this dangerous reversal. If a complete drawdown happens, the scenario of Iraq could be repeated in Afghanistan”

Since Ghani and Abdullah’sassumption of power nearly a year ago, the situation, in general, from security to economy is deteriorating and an immense number of Afghans have beenfleeingfrom the country for safety. The two leaders have already lost popularity among people.

The Afghan people say the two are busy sharing power among their affiliates while the insecurity has escalated to its heights in the past 15 years. It took months for both leaders to agree on a number of cabinet members after struggling for key security ministries, this is while the country’s defense ministry is running without a minister. The two leader’s differences of approaches and the eventual mismanagement have pushed the international community to cut aids.

A single attack by militants in Afghanistan has its negativeimpact on businesses and raise further concerns among the people of Afghanistan. People observe that government isconsciouslyoverlooking tragic incidents and human causalities. Politicians warn Kunduz incident could repeat in neighboring provinces if government takes no precautionary measures for the future.

Ongoing conflict and unrest intensified last year when the prolonged presidential election caused disorder across the country and smoothed the way for rebels to take advantage of the disarray in government and gain further foothold in the country.

With the emergence of ISIS in Afghanistan, the Taliban’s role is “shrinking”. The Taliban want to demonstrate their strength by engaging in large attacks and seizing of territories in order to draw world attention. This comes as the ISIS is building up in Afghanistan and pulling more financial supports from Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

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