Afghan president seeks defence of cities as Taleban advance

Kabul - Ashraf Ghani blamed the speedy pullout of American troops for the worsening violence in Afghanistan

The Afghan president on Monday blamed the American troops’ speedy pullout for the worsening violence in his country and said that his administration would now focus on protecting provincial capitals and major urban areas in the face of the rapidly advancing Taleban.

Ashraf Ghani also urged lawmakers to back a national mobilisation drive against the Taleban amid an intensifying war between the Taleban and Afghan government forces over the past few months as US and Nato troops complete their pullout from the war-torn country.

“An imported, hasty” peace process — a reference to Washington’s push for negotiations between Kabul and the Taleban — “not only failed to bring peace but created doubt and ambiguity” among Afghans, Ghani said in his address to Parliament.

The Afghan president arrived by helicopter for the extraordinary session of the house, called because of the dire situation on the ground. Ghani touched down at the Darul Aman Palace in Kabul and inspected an honour guard before heading inside.

The Taleban are now trying to seize provincial capitals after already taking large swaths of land and scores of districts in more rural areas, as well as several key border crossings with neighbouring countries.

“The Taleban do not believe in lasting or just peace,” Ghani said. He predicted a sea change on the battlefield “in the next six months” that would push the Taleban back, without elaborating.

He claimed that Afghan forces are up to the task and have the “capacity” to defeat the insurgents. But in past weeks, Afghan forces have struggled against the Taleban onslaught, and have often been left without reinforcements and resupplies.

On Sunday, the Afghan armed forces spokesman Gen. Ajmal Omar Shinwari told reporters that three provinces in southern and western Afghanistan face critical security situations. Southern Kandahar — the birthplace of the Taleban — as well as Helmand and Herat provinces have witnessed several attacks.

Helmand provincial council chief Attaullah Afghan said the Taleban are also advancing in the provincial capital of Lashar Gah, and now have control of the city’s seventh district. On Monday, elite Afghan commando units were dispatched to Lashar Gah to help defend the city.

• Asia