New Afghan Taliban tactics focus on fighting security forces and holding territory

[RoadRunner401]

in his first Eid statement on 22 September, new Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansour ruled out negotiations with the Kabul government unless all foreign troops leave Afghanistan.
Over the course of this year's fighting season, the Taliban have prioritised gaining and holding territory with mixed success, while at the same time reducing attacks on airports.

The statement came as Mansour consolidates control of the Taliban movement with key Taliban commanders reversing their opposition to Mansour in the ongoing leadership dispute.

In his first Eid statement on 22 September, new Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansour ruled out negotiations with the Kabul government unless all foreign troops leave Afghanistan. The statement came as Mansour consolidates control of the Taliban movement with key Taliban commanders reversing their opposition to Mansour in the ongoing leadership dispute (see Afghanistan: 14 September 2015: Mullah Mansour's grip on Afghan Taliban leadership tightens, increases prospect for resumption of peace talks).

Nevertheless, the demand reflects that Mansour remains apprehensive of exacerbating his remaining opposition by overstating support for negotiations even though he did endorse an initial round of talks with President Ashraf Ghani's government in July. Although the end of the Taliban's fighting season in October will present an opportunity to resume talks, the Taliban are likely to press ahead with the insurgency over the next six months and into the next fighting season from spring 2016.

Taliban tactics show capturing territory is a more pressing priority
The end of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission in December 2014 has led to a marked change in Taliban tactics that has been evident in this year's fighting season. Rather than attacking foreign forces, which number at around 13,000 as of June 2015, the Taliban have instead focused on fighting the Afghan National Security Forces and capturing and holding territory from the Kabul government.

New Afghan Taliban tactics focus on fighting security forces and holding territory, with reduced aviation risks - IHS Jane's 360

 

[A-Team]

in his first Eid statement on 22 September, new Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansour ruled out negotiations with the Kabul government unless all foreign troops leave Afghanistan.
Over the course of this year's fighting season, the Taliban have prioritised gaining and holding territory with mixed success, while at the same time reducing attacks on airports.

The statement came as Mansour consolidates control of the Taliban movement with key Taliban commanders reversing their opposition to Mansour in the ongoing leadership dispute.

In his first Eid statement on 22 September, new Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansour ruled out negotiations with the Kabul government unless all foreign troops leave Afghanistan. The statement came as Mansour consolidates control of the Taliban movement with key Taliban commanders reversing their opposition to Mansour in the ongoing leadership dispute (see Afghanistan: 14 September 2015: Mullah Mansour's grip on Afghan Taliban leadership tightens, increases prospect for resumption of peace talks).

Nevertheless, the demand reflects that Mansour remains apprehensive of exacerbating his remaining opposition by overstating support for negotiations even though he did endorse an initial round of talks with President Ashraf Ghani's government in July. Although the end of the Taliban's fighting season in October will present an opportunity to resume talks, the Taliban are likely to press ahead with the insurgency over the next six months and into the next fighting season from spring 2016.

Taliban tactics show capturing territory is a more pressing priority
The end of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission in December 2014 has led to a marked change in Taliban tactics that has been evident in this year's fighting season. Rather than attacking foreign forces, which number at around 13,000 as of June 2015, the Taliban have instead focused on fighting the Afghan National Security Forces and capturing and holding territory from the Kabul government.

New Afghan Taliban tactics focus on fighting security forces and holding territory, with reduced aviation risks - IHS Jane's 360

Holding ground? Every time they attack a remote district, they lose hundreds of their foot soldiers and hardly hold a district for more than few hours. In most cases the ANSF lures them to remote, insignificant districts to slaughter them.


So don’t call it new tactic, its a massacre of the Tali foot soliders and commanders.

 

[RoadRunner401]

Holding ground? Every time they attack a remote district, they lose hundreds of their foot soldiers and hardly hold a district for more than few hours. In most cases the ANSF lures them to remote, insignificant districts to slaughter them.


So don’t call it new tactic, its a massacre of the Tali foot soliders and commanders.

I have no sympathies for Talibichie or ANSF, both are enemies of Pakistan. Having said that, Taliban are a gorilla force they will attack and blend in to local civilians or retreat and go back into hiding.

The fact ANSF controls nothing more then Kabul, With the help of foreign forces speaks volume about ANSF capabilities. That means Talibichis are successful in Part of Afghanistan and do hold territory.