World
Gunmen attack former Taliban leader's house
Sources stated that unidentified gunmen opened fire on the house of former Taliban envoy to Pakistan, Mullah Abdul Salam Zaeef; one person is believed to have been killed in the attack. Mullah Abdul Salam Zaeef has reconciled with the current Afghanistan administration; so far, no one has claimed responsibility for the attack. Afghan security forces are on the look out for the gunmen.
The Taliban: An Overview
The Taliban was one of the Mujahideen factions that formed following the Soviet occupation (1979 - 1989) and the internal fighting in Afghanistan. A predominantly Pashtun movement, the Taliban came into prominence in 1994. The original aim of Taliban was to "restore peace, disarm the population, enforce Sharia law and defend the integrity and Islamic character of Afghanistan."
Afghanistan at the center of the Taliban storm
Since the start of 2006, Afghanistan has been facing a wave of attacks by improvised explosives and suicide bombers, particularly after NATO took command of the fight against the insurgents in 2006. Suicide bombing was a favored tactic of the Taliban through 2006 to 2007. In 2010, during the swearing-in ceremony of President Hamid Karzai, militants attacked multiple locations in Kabul.
Taliban attacks Afghan Parliament
On 22 June, Taliban members, including a suicide bomber and 6 gunmen attacked the Afghan parliament in Kabul. The suicide bomber detonated a car bomb outside the parliament gates and then gunmen stormed the compound. The attack was carried out to coincide with the parliamentary meet to vote for the new defence minister. Afghan security forces managed to eliminate all the the six gunmen
Taliban attacks NATO, Afghan forces
The Taliban mounted two attacks on NATO and Afghan forces in Kabul, killing one Afghan soldier and wounding at least five other people, including four civilians. The Taliban claimed responsibility for both attacks in a statement issued by their spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid. The militants detonated a car bomb and followed up the attack with two gunmen who opened fire on security forces.
Over 50 killed in multiple attacks in Kabul
More than 50 people, including 27 students at a police academy and one U.S. service member were killed in three separate attacks in Afghanistan. Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said the group was responsible for the attack on the NATO base and at the National Police Academy earlier in the day. Another truck bomb detonated in Kabul, killing 15 and wounding 240 others.
Taliban capture city of Kunduz
The Taliban captured the strategic northern Afghan city of Kunduz in a multi-pronged attack involving hundreds of fighters. The fast-moving assault took military and intelligence agencies by surprise as the insurgents descended on the city. More than 600 prisoners, including 140 Taliban fighters, were released from the city's jail. Taliban took to social media to reassure citizens that they "came in peace."
Taliban attack Bagram base, kill 6 US soldiers
US officials stated that a Taliban suicide bomber on a motorcycle drove into a military convoy near Bagram Air Base on Monday, killing six American service members. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter confirmed that the six American service members had been killed, and said that two had been wounded, along with a military contractor. Three Afghan police officers were also killed in the attack.
Twin attacks kill 25 in Afghanistan
Twenty-five people were killed in two attacks in Afghanistan on Saturday, including one in Kabul and Asadabad. Witnesses and officials described how the suicide bomber detonated near the Defence Ministry in the centre of Kabul. Ambulances converged at the site of the explosion as police and the army set up a security cordon. Officials suspected that the Taliban was behind the attack.
Afghanistan Parliament attacked by Taliban
Afghanistan's new parliament building in Kabul came under a rocket attack by the Taliban. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack and Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the attack resulted in heavy casualties. The rocket attack took place when security officials were entering the building to brief lawmakers. There was no official comment on whether there were any casualties yet.
Taliban launches 'Operation Omari'
The Taliban announced the start of their spring offensive on Tuesday, pledging to launch large-scale offensives against government strongholds. The announcement of the start of "Operation Omari", named after Taliban founder Mullah Mohammad Omar, came just days after John Kerry visited Kabul. In a statement, the Taliban said that Jihad was their "only recourse for re-establishing an Islamic system and regaining our independence."
Taliban attack Afghanistan MP's house, 8 dead
The Kabul home of a member of parliament was attacked by Taliban gunmen and 8 people were killed. 6 were wounded amongst whom Mir Wali, the MP and his wife were included; but their grandchildren died. Security forces killed 3 gunmen. In a statement, Taliban said suicide bombers attacked the MP's home because he was hosting an "important gathering of security officials."
