News / Afghanistan

Daesh militants fleeing Afghanistan province, says Ghani

Tuesday, 15 March 2016 4:34 PM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 15 March 2016 4:33 PM ]

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani gestures as he addresses a press conference at the Presidential Palace in Kabul on December 11, 2015. (AFP photo)

Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani says Daesh Takfiri militants are fleeing the areas under their control in the eastern Nangarhar Province following a massive military operation.

Ghani told reporters during a press briefing in Kabul on Tuesday that ground operations and aerial raids by the Afghan army had played a major role in dislodging Daesh militants from Nangarhar.

The Afghan president also attributed the success to the participation of retired commanders who had joined Afghan commandos during the offensive against the extremists.

"I promised the people of Nangarhar that no quarter would be given to Daesh, and none has been given," Ghani said, adding, "In Nangarhar, Daesh is on the run."

The remarks come as Afghan forces have announced victory following a long operation in Achin, Shinwar and some other districts of Nangarhar. Daesh terror group has recently gained a foothold in Afghanistan, particularly in Nangarhar province bordering Pakistan.

President Ghani has ordered the army to intensify attacks on the Daesh terrorists across the war-ravaged country.

On March 6, the president promised to turn Afghanistan into a "graveyard" for Daesh militants.

This file photo purportedly shows a number of militants being trained at a Daesh terror camp in an unknown location in Afghanistan.

Daesh has also been using a sophisticated social media campaign to woo local Taliban and other militants.

Meanwhile, the Afghan Ministry of Defense said in a recent report that the Daesh terrorists have killed over 600 civilians in the past six months.

According to the ministry, most of the victims were young people who refused to join the Takfiri group. The report also says 20,000 families have been internally displaced as a result of aggression perpetrated by Daesh in the past twelve months.

Afghanistan is gripped by insecurity more than 14 years after the United States and its allies attacked the country as part of Washington’s so-called war on terror. Although the 2001 attack overthrew the Taliban, many areas across Afghanistan still face violence and insecurity.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk