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Ghani orders anti-Daesh operation in Nangarhar

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani ©AFP

Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani has ordered the country’s National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) to launch a major operation against Daesh-linked terrorists in an eastern province.

Ghani announced the order during a Friday speech before the Afghan military forces in a visit to Nangarhar Province, which has witnessed an increasing Daesh presence in recent months.

He added that the key objective of the ANDSF operation is the eradication of Daesh loyalists in the area.

He further said the main focus of the annual Shafaq military offensive, which he said is currently underway across the war-ravaged nation, would be Nangarhar from next week.

The difficult days of Afghanistan have passed, said Ghani, cautioning, however, that enemies are still plotting against the nation.

During his tour of the province, Ghani also visited the residents of war-torn Kot District and commended their resistance against the Takfiri terrorist elements.

The remarks by the Afghan president come as the Daesh-linked militants have been making efforts to expand their foothold across Afghanistan.

Afghan security forces patrol during ongoing clashes between security forces and Daesh-linked militants in Kot District in eastern Nangarhar province on June 26, 2016. ©AFP

Nangarhar, which borders Pakistan, has been the main area where Daesh has managed to carry out high-profile attacks.

Daesh has reportedly managed to establish connections with the Taliban’s splinter groups, especially those believed to be discontent with changes in the militant group’s leadership.

The Takfiri group has also enjoyed defections from al-Qaeda in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan remains gripped by insecurity 15 years after a massive US-led military invasion of the country as part of Washington’s so-called war on terror. 

The war removed the Taliban from power, but terror and instability is still rampant in the Asian nation despite the presence of thousands of foreign troops.


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