Taliban’s Influence on Ghazni Concerning
Security officials are expected to review the security problems of the province on their visit to Ghazni province and to determine a specific plan to ensure security in this province.
President Ghani has recently ordered country’s security officials to travel to central Ghazni province and review the security status. The order came after dozens of police forces were killed in Jeghatu, Deh Yak, and Zanakhan districts. The Jeghatu district building has also collapsed twice by Taliban insurgents. Taliban have also pushed to take the full control of Ajristan district as well.
Ghazni, which was named as the capital of Islamic civilization in 2013, has now been plunged into horror, terror, Taliban insurgents and similar groups more than ever. Every day, soldiers and security officers are killed and the Taliban have spread their influence in many of its districts.
Central and local officials confirm that Taliban operate in seven districts of the province, but the fact is that except four districts, Sarab, Nahour, Jaghori and Malistan, the remaining areas without any exception are directly or indirectly within the reach of the Taliban. People in Ghazni city even consider the obligations and orders of Taliban. At nights, the militants attack security checkpoints which are a few kilometers away from the center of the province.
Last week, Taliban insurgents stormed a check post in “Isfand” area of Ghazni province. There is information about the local police who were members of the post. Local officials confirmed that Taliban blocked some routes into the city by building open trench last week. The security agencies prepared to encounter with the insurgents in the city center. Although, the attack did not take place, the escalation of unrest, assassinations and the Taliban’s increasing presence on traffic routes and the center of Ghazni province, indicate that the Taliban’s threat has not only been resolved, but has become more serious.
Increasing Taliban influence in this province has several reasons. The province is aligned with areas of unrest such as parts of Zabul, Maidan Wardak and Logar province. Khak-e Afghan, which connects Ghazni province with Zabul, is counted as a key place for the sale of weapons. Last year, local officials, including members of the provincial council announced that Daesh (ISIL) had been placed in these areas, recruiting soldiers. Taliban clashed with members of ISIL in the same area.
Another reason for the increase of insecurity in the province is the corruption that governs the local government. The two security chiefs, who both were known as individuals against the Taliban, were dismissed from the province during the past years. Zahid and Amarkhail were two commanders who – despite their tangible achievements against the Taliban – lost their positions in the province, respectively. Commander Zahid later died in the east of the country during a clash with the Taliban insurgents.
Three years ago, insecurity in Ghazni led to a catastrophe that has been the main driver of one of the biggest protests in recent years. The Tabassum movement was protesting the lack of security and the heavy shadow of killings, but the government has not truly got their message so far. Now, again, this province has been the center of conspiracy and assassinations. Continuing this situation will make Kabul more reachable for Taliban suicide attacks. On the other hand, it will lead to a catastrophe which happened in Kunduz. The time when the province collapsed by Taliban. Security officials are expected to review the security problems of the province on their visit to Ghazni province and to determine a specific plan to ensure security in this province. If the security officials’ visit to Ghazni would be fruitless, there is no doubt that the security situation in the province would deteriorate and will eliminate the possibility of holding parliamentary elections.
Akhtar Suhail – (DID) press agency
Translated by Taher Mojab
