The governor of Faryab says Taliban militants are posing a serious threat to the province and that Maimana City is surrounded by militants.
The northern province has witnessed many clashes between government forces and Taliban in recent weeks.
The governor, Naqibullah Fayiq, said civilian aircraft are also not flying into the province, and have not done so for a year due to increased security threats against the airport.
He also said that development projects have stopped in the province.
“The majority of areas are under control of the Taliban,” Fayiq said but added that “only Bilchiragh (district) is fully under Taliban control – but they do not have full control over any other district in Faryab.”
The governor also highlighted that Maimana City was surrounded by militants.
“I want to mention that sadly the delegation which visits here (Faryab), they (local officials) try to open routes to make a report for the president via a video conference to show that the roads are open. But when they leave Maimana in their helicopters, the roads are closed once again,” he said.
“This leaves us and the people prone to security threats and in an under-siege situation,” Fayiq said.
Faryab residents raised concerns about the security situation and said they do not want a Ghazni situation to be repeated in Maimana.
“We are concerned about the situation. People are worried as they believe that Faryab’s center will fall to militants same as Ghazni,” said Naqib, a resident of Maimana.
“Supply and transit routes or the Maimana-Mazar highway is closed to traffic for the past year. Government officials and some people cannot travel via these routes,” said Shafiq, a resident of Maimana.
Meanwhile, Shaheen 209 Corps Commander Major Gen. Amanullah Mobin said the Afghan forces continue their efforts to remove security threats in the province.
“(Security) threats are high but we are removing these threats. Bases on the two sides of the (Faryab-Balkh) highway have been given to contractors and part of it is the responsibility of police, army and the National Directorate of Security,” Mobin said.
This comes a day after Faryab officials confirmed that in the last two weeks the Afghan National Army (ANA) deserted their bases in parts of the province without defending themselves against insurgents.
The officials said the soldiers have left their bases in the Qaisar-Almar and Maimana-Jawzjan highways and have stationed themselves at other bases in district centers in the last few days.
On Monday, an army convoy that had left Ghormach district in the province and was heading to Qaisar district was ambushed by the Taliban.
The number of soldiers in the convoy was reportedly between 350 and 400 but their clash with the Taliban continued for three hours.
According to the Defense Ministry, 20 soldiers were killed and wounded in this incident.