Politics
21:57, 25-Apr-2018
Afghanistan's Taliban announces annual spring offensive
["china"]
Share
Copied
The Taliban militants on Wednesday announced the start of their yearly rebel offensive in Afghanistan, the outfit said in a statement.
Zabiullah Mujahid, a purported Taliban spokesman, said in the statement that their offensive code named "al-Khandaq jihadi" operation started early Wednesday.
"Both our land and air space are under the control of foreign occupying forces and our religious sanctities as well as helpless people are indiscriminately being targeted," the Taliban statement said.
The Taliban militants, who ruled the country before being ousted in late 2001, renewed armed insurgency, killing government troops as well as civilians.
Civilians were urged to stay away from official gatherings, military convoys and centers regarded as the legitimate targets by militants besides warning people not to support the government.
Following the announcement, the Taliban claimed multiple attacks across the country, while the announcement is seen as a new wave of Taliban attacks over Afghan soil.
Source(s): Xinhua News Agency