Taliban chased to island between Afghanistan, Turkmenistan
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 23 October 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Taliban chased to island between Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, 23 October 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/56813c9813.html [accessed 4 June 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. |
October 23, 2015
By RFE/RL's Turkmen Service
Some Taliban militants have sought refuge on an island on the Amu-Darya River between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan. (file photo)
The recent offensive launched by forces of Afghan Vice President Abdul Rashid Dostum has chased several dozen Taliban militants to an island in the Amu-Darya, the river that divides Afghanistan and Turkmenistan.
Dostum's forces earlier this week attacked villages in Afghanistan's northern Jowzjan Province that Taliban forces captured.
Jowzjan Deputy Governor Abdulrahman Mamudi said on October 23 that Dostum's forces had killed some 30 militants and also seized vehicles, weapons, and ammunition.
Mamudi confirmed some Taliban fighters had fled to the island. He said Turkmen authorities had been fully informed of the military operation and that Afghan forces were "coordinating with Turkmenistan's authorities."
Dostum's spokesman Sultan Faizi also confirmed that the militants' presence on the island in the Amu-Darya River and said Afghan officials were in contact with their Turkmen counterparts.
Faizi said Dostum's forces were preparing to attack the militants on the island and Afghan forces had warned Ashgabat that the Taliban might attempt to escape into Turkmenistan.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
