Afghan troops in “desperate need of reinforcements” against TalibanJanuary 20, 2016 - 15:46 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Afghan troops are fighting the Taliban across most of southern Helmand province and are in desperate need of reinforcements, an Afghan official said on Wednesday, January 20, according to the Associated Press. Government forces are also facing serious challenges in Helmand's capital, Lashkar Gah, said Gen. Abdul Rahman Sarjang, the provincial police chief. "Our forces are exhausted and we need reinforcements," he said. "We need fresh police and soldiers because our men have been fighting for the last month or two," Sarjang said. Afghan police fight on the front-lines across Afghanistan, often without the equipment and backup of the army, which means casualties are higher. Sarjang said he was in contact with central authorities in Kabul and was confident fresh reinforcement would be deployed soon. A lack of coordination between the army and police was also hampering progress in the fight, he told the Associated Press. The Taliban were making serious stands in seven districts — Sangin, Gereshk, Khanashin, Musa Qala, Nawzad, Washer and Marjah — and at least three districts of the capital are also under threat, he said. Helmand is a strategic region for the Taliban, as it borders Pakistan. It grows large quantities of opium, used to produce most of the world's heroin. The harvest is worth up to $3 billion a year, and helps fund the insurgency. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life, Strong Mind IDBank and Idram summarize the results of the May program of “The Power of One Dram”. Yerevan State University, Ucom sign Memorandum of Cooperation Rector of Yerevan State University Hovhannes Hovhannisyan and General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian signed the memorandum. EU to provide budgetary support to Armenia The agreement is aimed at increasing the competitiveness of the educational system of Armenia. Aliyev: No peace treaty unless Armenia changes constitution Azerbaijan will not sign a peace treaty with Armenia unless the latter changes its constitution, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said. |