Ghazni’s private sector sustained an estimated $50 million in losses during the four-day siege of Ghazni over the weekend, the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ACCI) said following a preliminary investigation.

Their probe found that markets have burned down, along with some buildings and shops as well as all the goods inside. 

The clashes in Ghazni started in the early hours of Friday morning and ended on Tuesday – although clashes are still ongoing on the outskirts of the city. 

One analyst said the city was a small trading hub which has been reduced to a heap of rubble. 

The trade centers and markets are in PD2, in the center of the city, where many government buildings are located. The area was on the first line of battle and bore the brunt of the clashes. 

“The war was carried out in a trading area,” the ACCI deputy head Khan Jan Alokozai said. “More than five big markets around the PD2 Police Headquarters have burnt down.” 

Ghazni Provincial Council estimates the damages were however much higher and has called for government to assign a team to assess the financial losses sustained. 

“The damages of war in Ghazni are much higher (than $50 million). A probe team should be assigned to the province. The losses are over $100 million,” said Hamidullah Nawroz, a member of Ghazni Provincial Council.

Ghani shares borders with eight other provinces and most goods destined for these provinces transit through Ghazni. 

Lawmakers from Ghazni also said they have asked government to send a team to assess the situation. 

“We call on government to send a delegation to Ghazni province in order to assess the damages and compensate the people. Government is requested to allocate a budget for reconstruction of the damages in the province,” said Shah Gul Rezaee, an MP from Ghazni.

ACCI officials said the damage inflicted on Ghazni City in just four days has had a serious impact on the city, and that it will take a long time for the city to be restored to its former state.