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Taliban’s takeover of Kunduz

Afghan security forces struggle to oust the fighters after they overran the strategic northern city.

Kunduz attack
Taliban prisoners walked on a street after their comrades released them from the main jail in Kunduz on Monday [AP]
Published On 30 Sep 2015

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Kunduz, Afghanistan – Afghanistan has mobilised military reinforcements to take back Kunduz, a day after Taliban fighters overran the strategic northern city in their biggest victory since being toppled from power in 2001.

The US carried out two air strikes near Kunduz city on Tuesday in support of the government, and continued the assault on Wednesday.

The Taliban attack began at dawn on Monday with the fighters capturing key buildings and freeing about 500 prisoners, including members of the Taliban.

The incursion came after two failed attempts this year to capture Kunduz city, which has been encircled by the fighters for about a year.

Related: NATO forces bolster Afghan troops in battle for Kunduz

Kunduz attack
The Taliban captured the northern Afghan city with a massive assault involving hundreds of fighters, and they now control a major urban area for the first time since the 2001 US-led invasion [AP]
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kunduz attack
A Taliban fighter sat atop a motorcycle adorned with a Taliban flag in a street in Kunduz on Tuesday. [AP]
kunduz attack
Before Monday's incursion, the Taliban made two attempts this year to capture Kunduz city [AP]
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The US military carried out an air strike on Tuesday on Taliban positions in Kunduz [AP]
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Taliban fighters hugged each other a day after they overran Kunduz and freed from jail about 600 inmates [AFP]
kunduz attack
Taliban fighters drove a vehicle belonging to the International Committee of the Red Cross in Kunduz after the city to them [AP]
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kunduz attack
Taliban fighters have reportedly taken control of most of Kunduz city and raised their flag in the centre of the city [EPA]
kunduz attack
Afghanistan has mobilised reinforcements for a counteroffensive to take back Kunduz from the Taliban [AFP]
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Members of the Afghan security services arrive at the airport to launch an offensive to recapture Kunduz [EPA]