Afghan govt dismisses Taliban’s claim of controlling 90% of the country’s borders

Speaking to RIA Novosti news agency, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid had claimed on Tuesday that over 90 percent of Afghanistan’s borders, comprising those with Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Iran, were in control of the insurgent group.

The Afghan government on Friday rubbished the claim that the Islamist insurgent group Taliban had gained control over 90 percent of Afghanistan’s borders, according to a report by news agency AFP. Quoting the country’s defense ministry, AFP reported that the claim made by a Taliban spokesperson was ‘baseless propaganda’. The Afghan government forces maintained that they were in control of Afghanistan’s borders.

Speaking to RIA Novosti news agency, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid had claimed on Tuesday that over 90 percent of Afghanistan’s borders, comprising those with Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Iran, were in control of the insurgent group.

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On the fears of foreign fighters being present in Afghanistan, Mujahid told the Russian agency that no militants from China or Central Aia were residing in the country. He also asserted that the Taliban would not allow ISIS to operate in parts of Afghanistan controlled by it.

As American troops withdraw, the situation in Afghanistan has remained tense over the past few months. The Taliban are making rapid advances across the country, capturing several districts and border posts and surrounding the important cities of Afghanistan. As the infighting continues, sections of the Afghan National Army(ANA) are surrendering or taking refuge in neighboring countries.

Taliban has also laid siege to Kandahar, the second most important city after Kabul and the birthplace of the group. Last week the Taliban captured a border crossing with Pakistan called Spin Boldak, where Indian photojournalist Danish Siddiqui got killed in the ensuing battle. 

The Taliban have even captured parts of Northern Afghanistan, an area not known to be the traditional base of the Islamist group. Meanwhile, the US has set the target to complete its troop withdrawal by September 11, the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.