Military helicopters collide in Afghanistan's Helmand during operation against Taliban

At least nine people lost their lives after two Afghan military helicopters collided in midair in Afghanistan’s southern province of Helmand.

The incident occurred in the Nawa district of Helmand early on Wednesday, the Afghan Defense Ministry said, according to Afghanistan’s Tolo News.

The helicopters had dropped off Afghan commandos during an operation against the Taliban militant group and were carrying wounded Afghan security personnel when they collided “due to technical issues.”

The operation was reportedly still ongoing.

Heavy clashes have been taking place between Afghan security forces and the Taliban in Helmand over the past four days. Thousands of people have been forced to leave their homes for safety.

Sayed Mohammad Amin, the head of Afghanistan’s refugee and repatriation department, said around 5,100 families had been displaced by the fighting, adding that there was an urgent need for food and shelter.

Helmand is one of the most embattled provinces in southern Afghanistan. More than 80 percent of its territory is controlled by the Taliban.

The militants launched a major offensive in the province on Sunday. They have seized military bases and have been closing in on the provincial capital, Lashkargah.

Afghan forces launch counter-assault in Helmand

Afghan security forces launched a counteroffensive in Helmand on Tuesday.

The Helmand governor’s media office said Afghan Special Forces, aided by strikes from the country’s air force, had managed to take back five checkpoints from the Taliban, killing 23 militants.

Heavy clashes erupted between Afghan security forces and the Taliban on the outskirts of Lashkargah on Monday, prompting the local residents of the Nad-e-Ali District to seek refuge elsewhere.

The fighting also resulted in the destruction of a power substation, causing power cuts in Helmand and Kandahar.

A number of telecommunication networks were also shut down.

Jets and helicopters continued to circle Lashkargah through the night on Monday and on Tuesday, attacking Taliban positions.

The United States military also launched airstrikes against Taliban positions in Helmand over the weekend in support of the Afghan security forces. The fighting came despite a “peace” deal between the two sides.

US launches airstrikes on Taliban in Afghanistan's Helmand despite ‘peace’ deal

The US military launches airstrikes against Taliban positions in southern Afghanistan following a major offensive by the militant group in the area and despite a “peace” deal between the two sides.

There have also been reports of intensified fighting in a dozen other provinces of Afghanistan.

‘The Americans are not honest with us’

Afghan Senate members have expressed concern about the situation in Helmand, calling for a reduction in violence there and across the country.

“We will put pressure on the central government to further support the Afghan forces in all provinces, especially Helmand,” the Chairman of the Afghan Senate Fazal Hadi Muslimyar said.

Some senators have also asked for the immediate withdrawal of American forces.

“There is a need for an immediate ceasefire in the country and the withdrawal of international forces, especially Americans,” Senator Anarkali Huaryar said.

“The Americans are not honest with us. On the one hand, they have a security pact with us, and on the other hand, they are trying in a way to impose the current situation on us,” Senator Gulalai Noor Safi said.

Taliban bombing in Afghanistan’s Helmand leaves casualties

A bomb attack hits a police headquarters in Helmand Province, killing and injuring over 2 dozen civilians, mostly children.

The fighting comes as the Afghan government and the Taliban are engaged in talks in the Qatari capital, Doha, in an effort to end nearly two decades of war in the country. The first round of the talks began last month, following the deal between the United States and the Taliban, which was reached also in Doha earlier this year.

Under the deal, Washington promised to pull out all its troops by mid-2021 in return for the Taliban stopping their attacks on US-led foreign forces in Afghanistan.

Official data shows that Taliban bombings and other assaults have increased 70 percent in Afghanistan since the militant group signed the deal with Washington.

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