Afghan forces repel Taliban's Kunduz offensive

A Taliban offensive to capture the northern Afghan city of Kunduz on Saturday killed 15 people and injured more than 75 others.

"The Taliban attacked Kunduz city from several directions this morning," said Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujajid. "We are in the city now, capturing government buildings one after the other."

However, by evening, US-backed government forces had repelled the Taliban offensive and regained control of the city. Washington's top commander in Afghanistan, General Scott Miller, visited Kunduz to assist with counteroffensive measures.

The militant group "wanted to create an atmosphere of fear in the city," said President Ashraf Ghani. "But their attack was repelled by our brave security forces."

Read more: US-Taliban talks: DW reporters' firsthand account from Doha

Taliban strongest since 2001

The Taliban now controls or holds sway over roughly half of Afghanistan and is at its strongest since its 2001 defeat by a US-led invasion in the wake of the 9/11 attacks.

The militants have continued their bloody assaults even as their leaders meet US peace envoys in Doha.

Both sides have signaled in recent days that they are close to a deal to end nearly 18 years of war, which will pave the way for a full peace agreement with the Afghan government.

Despite ending their combat role in 2014, some 20,000 US and NATO personnel remain in the country to train and support Afghan troops.

Read more: Afghan war — What to expect from the US-Taliban Doha talks

US troop pullout required

The Taliban has made the withdrawal of all foreign forces a key demand in the peace talks. Washington, meanwhile, has sought guarantees that the Taliban will not use Afghanistan to launch future terror attacks against the US.

The militants seized Kunduz for around two weeks in 2015 before being pushed back by Afghan forces, backed by US airstrikes. A year later, the insurgents pushed into the city center and were again repelled.

On three occasions over the past two years, the militants have seized large areas close to the city before being driven away.

Read more: Afghanistan: Is 'Islamic State' taking advantage of US-Taliban peace talks?

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ls,mm/mh (AFP, AP, dpa, Reuters)