Fighting between Afghan Forces, Taliban Intensifies - Tasnim News Agency

(Tasnim) – The Afghan army said three provinces in southern and western Afghanistan are facing “critical” security situations as fighting intensifies between the Taliban and Afghan forces.

Fighting in the war-torn South Asian country has escalated as the United States and NATO troops plan to complete their pullout by August 31 after 20 years of war.

The Taliban is now trying to seize provincial capitals, after already taking smaller administrative districts in recent months.

Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani has blamed the country’s deteriorating security on the United States deciding “abruptly” to withdraw its troops.

Presenting his security plan before Parliament on Monday, Ghani said the situation in the war-torn nation will be “under control within six months”.

“The reason for our current situation is that the decision was taken abruptly,” he told Parliament, adding he had warned Washington the withdrawal would have “consequences”.

The president added that “protection of the people” is a duty he will maintain.

After his address, both houses of parliament released a joint statement, expressing their full support for Ghani’s security plan.

In their statement, the legislators declared their “firm” support to human and women’s rights and freedom of speech and said they stand with the Afghan National Army, “who sacrifice their lives for the nation”.

The Taliban released a statement in response to Ghani’s address to the legislature, saying his “statements were all nonsense”.

“He was trying to control his own bad (mental) state and mistakes,” it said, Al Jazeera reported.

“The nation has decided to prosecute the national traitors and bring them to justice. Declarations of war, making accusations and providing false information cannot prolong Ghani’s life. His time is over, God willing.”