Taliban Seize Control of Third District in Western Afghanistan

[Henk Elegeert]

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http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-11-05-voa19.cfm


   *Taliban Seize Control of Third District in Western Afghanistan*

  By VOA News
*05 November 2007*

 Taliban militants have taken control of a third district in western
Afghanistan.

Local officials say the militants captured the Khaki Safed district in the
western Farah province late Sunday, with police and government officials
fleeing without a fight.

One police official told the French News Agency that Afghan police, army and
NATO troops were able to retake control of the area just hours later.

This is the third district in the region to be captured by Taliban
insurgents. Last week, militants overran the Bakwa and Gulistan districts in
Farah province. Local officials say Afghan police often withdraw and do not
put up a fight when being overrun by militants.

Taliban rebels have previously seized control of villages in remote parts of
Afghanistan but are usually forced out by NATO troops. They have, however,
maintained control of Musa Qala in southern Helmand province since early
this year.

This year has been the deadliest in Afghanistan since a U.S.-led invasion
ousted the Taliban government in 2001. Taliban militants have established
strongholds in the south and east, attacking U.S. and NATO troops and Afghan
soldiers in ambushes and suicide bombings.

*Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.*

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