New York, Apr. 28 (ANI): The Taliban have announced they will launch their spring offensive, signaling plans to step up attacks as the weather warms across Afghanistan, making both travel and fighting easier. The militant group”s leadership vowed on Saturday that “every possible tactic will be utilized in order to detain or inflict heavy casualties on the foreign transgressors”, including suicide attacks on military bases and diplomatic areas, reports the New York Post. The outfit also threatened more so-called insider attacks by members of the Afghan security forces against their colleagues or foreign troops. Such attacks threaten the strength of the Afghan forces as they work to take over responsibility from international troops. Afghanistan”s defense ministry responded by saying its security forces are prepared for Taliban”s new campaign, adding that the soldiers now have the support and trust of many Afghans. The new Taliban offensive comes as US-backed efforts to try to reconcile the Islamic militant movement with the Afghan government have so far failed. Insurgents already have intensified attacks this spring as they try to position themselves for power ahead of national elections and the planned withdrawal of most US and other foreign combat troops by the end of 2014. April has already been the worst month for combat deaths so far this year, with approximately 257 people including civilians, Afghan security forces and foreign troops having been killed in violence around the country. During that time 217 insurgents have died. Last year during the month of April, 179 civilians, foreign troops and Afghan security forces were killed and 268 insurgents. Still, the top US commander in Kabul, Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford, said that the security situation has improved across the country, with Afghan forces now leading 80 percent of all conventional operations. (ANI)
