Residents united against Taliban marched the streets of the western city of Herat on Monday night, chanting Allahu Akbar, “God is Great,” announcing their support to the government forces and vowed to defend the province.
They also celebrated the advances of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces in their fight against the Taliban in southern parts of Herat city. Monday was the sixth day of the fighting in Herat.
The move was widely welcomed by other Afghans across the country who created a hashtag of “Herat uprising” and “Allahu Akbar,” announcing their support to the Heratis.
Kabul residents took to social media and asked for a similar act in Kabul on Tuesday night.
First Vice President Amrullah Saleh also welcomed the move and said it was the day he was waiting for and that he is thrilled by this act.
Herat governor Gen. Abdul Saboor Qani, who has served in the leadership role of the country’s security agencies, on Tuesday said the security forces in the province have air support. He said that a large-scale military operation has started to clear the province of Taliban.
On Monday, former mujahedeen leader and senior member of the Jamiat-e-Islami party Mohammad Ismail Khan who is leading public uprising forces in the fight against the Taliban asked Heratis to mobilize against the Taliban and assured them that the city will be defended.
Clashes happened between the security forces and Taliban in southern parts of Herat on Monday, in a distance of at least 2 kilometers from the center of the city.
This comes as three civilians were killed and 10 more were wounded in an explosion in the city of Herat on Monday evening, health officials said.
According to security sources, the blast targeted a bus carrying civilians, and women are among the victims.