KUNDUZ CITY (SW): Analysts believe foreign proxies; particularly the interests of Iran and Russia are behind the surging violence in northern Afghanistan.
Northern Afghanistan has been witnessing a surge in militancy for quite a while now after a relative peace for many years following the fall of the Taliban. Kabul Khan Tadbeer, an analyst on geo-strategic affairs told Salam Watandar that the ever changing global scenario has now resulted in Russia and Iran promoting violence in northern Afghanistan, particularly in Kunduz.
“Kunduz is an important gateway for the Russians. The ragging violence here [in Kunduz] is directly related to the conflict between Russia and the US in Syria”, Tadbeer added. He went on to say global powers have once again turned Afghanistan into their battlefield.
Jawed Ghafoor, another expert on political affairs, agreed with the notion that foreign proxies, particularly Iran and Russia are behind the bloodbath in the north. Ghafoor said the militants’ strategy and resources back this notion. Sami Daray, an expert on security affairs said in this regard the Afghan government is unable to stop foreign interferences, or for that matter, curb the militants.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defense (MoD) has also hinted towards the foreign elements involved in destabilizing the north. Dawlat Waziri, spokesman for the MoD has said that the Afghan National Security and Defense Forces (ANSDF) have arrested and killed Chechen, Uzbekistani, Pakistani and Uigor rebels during clashes in the north of the country.
It has been a week since the ANSDF expelled the Taliban out of Kunduz after the militants briefly overrun it but fighting is still taking place on the outskirts of the city.
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