Fighting rages in district of Afghan province of Helmand
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 23 December 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Fighting rages in district of Afghan province of Helmand, 23 December 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/56c4285315.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
December 23, 2015
Heavy fighting is reported to be continuing between Afghan forces and Taliban militants in the district of Sangin in the southern province of Helmand, which the militants overran earlier this week.
Afghan acting Defense Minister said on December 23 that reinforcements had been rushed to Sangin. Speaking to reporters in Kabul, he also appealed for international military help, especially air support.
Britain has sent a small contingent of soldiers to Helmand to help Afghan forces as advisers under the NATO mandate.
Sangin is an important poppy-growing district in Helmand, which borders Pakistan and sits on transport routes for drugs, arms and other lucrative contraband.
The crisis in Helmand has put more pressure on the government of President Ashraf Ghani.
On December 20, the province's deputy governor issued a highly unusual public plea via Facebook, warning that Helmand would fall unless immediate action were taken and urging Ghani to come to the province to see for himself.
Based on reporting by AP and Reuters
Link to original story on RFE/RL website