NBC: Taliban assault on Ghazni kills 120 people; U.S. helps struggling Afghan forces
The U.S. is helping Afghan forces as they scramble to keep control of Ghazni.
KABUL, Afghanistan — A four-day assault by the Taliban on a key provincial capital has killed about 100 Afghan security forces, the country’s defense minister, Tariq Shah Bahrami, said Monday. Twenty to 30 civilians have been killed in the fighting, he said.
It is a major show of force by the Taliban as capturing Ghazni in the east of the country would cut off a key highway linking Kabul to the traditional insurgent heartland in the south.
The militants' multipronged militant assault overwhelmed Ghazni, a strategic city of 270,000 people barely 75 miles from the capital, Kabul. That so many fighters were able to mass and threaten the key town piles pressure on the government of President Ashraf Ghani.
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Battle For Key Afghan City Of Ghazni
Afghan forces battle Taliban for key city for fourth day -- FOX News/AP
U.S. downplays "failed" Taliban siege as 100 Afghan forces killed -- CBS/AP
Battle For Key Afghan City Rages For Fourth Day -- RFE
Afghanistan: 20 civilians, 100 security forces killed in Ghazni -- Al Jazeera
Taliban seizes second district in Ghazni as provincial capital remains contested -- Long War Journal
Afghanistan sends special forces to beef up defense of threatened city -- Reuters
Afghanistan: Battle-torn Ghazni residents 'can't find food' -- BBC
UN Paints Grim Picture Of Ghazni Situation -- Tolo News
