Afghanistan: Taliban attack kills 27 soldiers in Alishing district (Laghman province) May 10

Event

Taliban militants killed 27 Afghan National Army (ANA) troops in an attack on a security outpost in Alishing district (Laghman province) on Sunday evening (local time), May 10. The Afghan Ministry of Defense claimed that Taliban forces were repelled and that they suffered heavy casualties, although exact figures have not been released as of Tuesday, May 12. The Taliban have claimed responsibility for the attack.

Further Taliban attacks targeting security personnel are likely over the near term.

Context

Taliban and Islamic State (IS) militants launch attacks on government personnel, security forces, and civilians in Afghanistan on a near-daily basis. Such assaults are, in part, intended to undermine the perceived capacity of Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) - and the Afghan government more broadly - to adequately provide security in the wake of the withdrawal of most US-led NATO forces from the country.

Advice

Individuals in Laghman province are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid the area of the incident, and obey all instructions issued by local authorities or their home governments.

The security environment in Afghanistan remains complex. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel.