Over 1,000 Afghan soldiers flee into Tajikistan after Taliban offensive

[Boats]

Over 1,000 Afghan soldiers flee into Tajikistan after Taliban offensive
By: Jacob Knutson - AXIOS News 07-05-21
Re: https://www.axios.com/afghan-soldier...735015bb9.html

Photo link: https://images.axios.com/umc4LGTONzW...5493972032.jpg
Afghan security personnel standing guard after a car bombing in Ghazni in May. Photo: Zakeria Hashimi/AFP via Getty Images

1,037 members of the Afghan security forces fled into Tajikistan and dozens more were taken captive on Sunday after Taliban fighters made advances in northern Afghanistan, according to Reuters.

Why it matters:

The crossings, which were permitted by Tajikistan, came after the Taliban took over at least six key districts in the northern province of Badakhshan, which borders Tajikistan.

* Sunday's retreat was the largest confirmed by the Afghan government since the Taliban began its northern offensive, according to Reuters.

What they're saying: Afghan President Ashraf Ghani spoke with Tajikistan President Emomali Rakhmon on Sunday to discuss the escalating conflict in northern Afghanistan and Rakhmon's concerns with the crossings.

Driving the news:

Tajikistan is looking into setting up camps for potential refugees from Afghanistan, according to Reuters.

* The Taliban seized the main trade gateway into Tajikistan in June. Instead of shutting down the dry port, the insurgent group has started collecting customs revenues on goods moving in and out of Afghanistan, according to the Wall Street Journal.

* "We informed [Tajikistan and Uzbekistan] and assured them that the routine work of the border, the customs, will be running as before," a Taliban spokesperson told the Journal.

* The big picture: The Taliban has rapidly gained territory in Afghanistan since the United States began its military withdrawal, which is expected to be fully completed by Sept. 11.

* The U.S. military departed Bagram Airfield, which was the center of its war to oust the Taliban and search for the al-Qaeda perpetrators of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, on Friday.

* U.S. intelligence community has warned that the Afghan government could collapse as soon as next year as the Taliban's battlefield offensive grows.

Go deeper:

Biden cuts off questions about Afghanistan amid growing Taliban concerns

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Personal note: I think Afghan is in real trouble. Without support by the US or NATO - I'm afraid the country will quickly
fall into the enemies hands shortly. A major take over and a massive killing spree of the soldier's and people. I'm not
sure what NATO Troops are doing - but to hear of Afghan soldiers fleeing - means something has gone wrong and the
leaders have no control over their men. It's going to get real ugly quickly unless NATO gets hold of these people -
and tells them straight out - It's Fight or Die!
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NATO has a mess down there and it seems they can't get it resolved. 20 years of US military that supported them
and yet once were gone - they are running like hell instead of fighting for their country and their people - what a shame!
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Boats