KABUL: Thousands of Afghan civilians have fled the northern city of Kunduz to escape days of fighting between the Taliban and government forces, with dozens arriving daily in Kabul with little more than the clothes on their backs, recounting stories of horror. The insurgents launched an assault on Kunduz on Monday, triggering intense fighting with Afghan forces backed by NATO and sending frightened residents fleeing to other cities including the capital. Up to 10,000 civilians have fled Kunduz, the UN said Thursday, to escape fighting which was ongoing despite government claims that Afghan forces had retaken the city on Monday night. Abdullah had left Kunduz in September 2015 after a previous attack on the strategic northern city close to the border with Tajikistan. “Kunduz is on fire!,” said one young woman in a burqa, Parmin, her voice shaking with indignation.

Source: Manila Times October 07, 2016 15:22 UTC