Afghan Army Launches Operation to Retake Village Controlled by Taliban, Daesh

Afghan forces have started a military operation to regain control over a village in Afghanistan's northern Sare Pol province that was attacked and occupied jointly by militants of Daesh and Taliban terror groups last week, Gen. Abdul Ghafar Ehsan, the commander of the Afghan National Army’s 2nd Regiment in Sar-e-Pul, said Friday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — He added that the militants sustained heavy losses in the ongoing clashes, while Afghan security forces regained control over three check posts.

"We have advanced and have reached to Sheram mountain heights. After strengthening our outposts in Mirza Olang, our units will enter into the valley," Ehsan said, as quoted by the TOLOnews broadcaster.

The attack on Mirza Olang took place on August 4. After two days of fighting against government forces, the militants took control over the village, leaving 60 civilians dead and eight others injured, as well as 471 families displaced.

Afghanistan has long been suffering from significant political, social and security instability, aggravated by the activity of terrorist groups. The Afghan National Defense and Security Forces supported by the US-led coalition have been conducting joint operations to combat terrorism across the country.