President Ashraf Ghani on Saturday visited the insurgent-hit north-eastern province of Badakshan – a full week after the well planned attack took place against Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers, which resulted in 28 being killed.
Ghani visited Fayzabad, the capital of the province and held a security meeting with local security officials before holding a press conference where he discussed the security issues facing the country.
Salahuddin Rabbani, the Foreign Minister, and a number of the military commanders accompanied him on this trip while representatives from the 27 provincial districts also met with him in Fayzabad.
Shah Waliullah Adeeb, acting provincial governor, told media present at the press conference that insurgents have turned their focus on the area and "were trying to infiltrate bordering districts of the province."
Meanwhile, Ghani told journalists present that soldiers from Nangarhar and Badakhshan have had the most casualties. "I salute to their sacrifices! It will not go to waste," he said.
He said he inherited a government with a $125 million USD deficit and that six provinces had been on the brink of collapse.
However, "due to the sacrifices made by our soldiers the country no longer faces the threat of collapse," he said.
But, "today unfortunately all security forces are dependent on international aid", he stated.
He said that the country faces a new war. "The basic reasons for instability in Afghanistan are terrorism, insurgency, criminal economy and armed groups," he said.
"Terrorists are using Afghan blood and soil for their proxy war. It is not our war," he stated.
"Terrorists do not care about the future of our children. Afghan public must get ready to defend our soil and dignity shoulder to shoulder with ANA," he said.
"Afghan security forces can defend Afghanistan. Defending our country runs in our blood. We have proved it time and again."
He said this nation does not bow to threats and dangers and that Afghanistan will fight (insurgents) to the end. "The way forward is still full of obstacles and dangers but together we will overcome them too, as always."
"I assure you that the big dangers have passed us. We passed through huge challenges with success. I call on our religious scholars to once again perform their national duty of defending the country and raise awareness amongst people against this war," he said.
"Afghan security forces sacrifice their lives to defend national unity while our politicians try to divide us. This new war is a grave threat to our soil, dignity and survival. Thus, fight against this war is our collective national obligation," he said.
"Having a professional and well trained army is the only way to guarantee our existence," he said.
Ghani's visit comes amid a rising number of complaints over the government's slow response to the situation – which saw almost 30 ANA soldiers killed when more than 500 Taliban stormed their military posts late at night.
Critics claimed earlier this week that one of the reasons for the high death toll number was that soldiers were not able to escape because there was no fuel in vehicles.
The Ministry of Defense (MoD) has ordered an investigation into the incident. Preliminary findings suggest major negligence on the part of certain ANA officers, who sources close to the issue say are likely to face legal repercussions.
The Taliban reportedly seized over 20 posts and stole a large amount of military equipment including weapons and vehicles.
LINK: https://www.ansarpress.com/english/3459
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