Dozens of families have left their homes in Shakar Dara and Guldara districts north of Kabul over the last few weeks following a dramatic surge in security threats and amid intensifying Taliban activities, the displaced residents said.
A large-scale operation by government forces earlier this week pushed back the Taliban from Shakar Dara district, 25 kilometers north of Kabul city, according to Defense Ministry, but locals said many families are yet to return home over fears of resurging insecurity.
Clashes in Guldara, which is 45 kilometers north of the Afghan capital, were reported days after the government announced that Shakar Dara was cleared of the Taliban.
Residents said the security agencies “have failed” to ensure the safety of the residents of two Kabul districts that have been secure over the last 18 years.
The residents warned that Kabul will be under severe security threat if the security situation remains fragile in the two districts.
According to Guldara residents, at least 150 families have so far left their homes following persistent warnings by the Taliban.
“There is no peace in this area. The Taliban starts firing at nights. No one is there to ask. There is no accountability. There is no government. People would not have left their homes if there was a government,” said Zemarai, a Guldara resident.
“The Taliban raised their flag on the mountain two days after the fighting, then everyone who were associated to police, army, or the NDS (National Directorate of Security) and education sector, were pushed to leave their homes,” said Mohammad Hassan, a Shakar Dara resident.
Some other residents in Guldara warned to take up arms against the Taliban if the government fails to take action.
“If not now, the fighting will erupt in the next spring,” said Qasim, a Guldara resident.
The Ministry of Defense vowed to clear these areas of insurgents.
“In order to improve security in north of Kabul and other districts, there is a plan and a regular security program that will be implemented in the near future,” the Defense Ministry spokesman Rohullah Ahmadzai said.