{"id":63123,"date":"2018-04-25T20:16:47","date_gmt":"2018-04-25T20:16:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/uncategorized\/2018\/04\/25\/afghanistans-taliban-announce-annual-spring-offensive\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T12:48:56","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T12:48:56","slug":"afghanistans-taliban-announce-annual-spring-offensive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/flashpoints\/2018\/04\/25\/afghanistans-taliban-announce-annual-spring-offensive\/","title":{"rendered":"Afghanistan\u2019s Taliban announce annual spring offensive"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

KABUL, Afghanistan \u2014 The Taliban announced their annual spring offensive in Afghanistan on Wednesday, at a time when insurgents are already regularly launching attacks<\/a> and battling security forces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group issued a statement Wednesday saying that the \u201cAl-Khandaq\u201d offensive would make use of \u201cnew and intricate tactics\u201d aimed at \u201ccrushing, killing and capturing American invaders and their supporters.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The onset of spring has traditionally brought an uptick in violence in Afghanistan, as melting snows allow fighters to more easily traverse the mountainous terrain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But in recent years the Taliban and an Islamic State affiliate have carried out near-daily attacks in all seasons. The Taliban have seized control of districts across the country and regularly target Kabul, the capital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. formally ended its combat mission in Afghanistan in 2014, but thousands of American troops<\/a> remain in the country in a counterterrorism and supporting role<\/a>. The Trump administration has sent thousands of additional troops to try to change the course of America\u2019s longest war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Spring weather in Kabul, Afghanistan, on April 5, 2017. (SIGAR)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gunmen attacked a checkpoint in Kabul late Tuesday, killing three Afghan police, said district commander Ghulam Sarwar. No one has claimed the attack, in which the assailants escaped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another three police were killed in a similar attack in the western Baghdis province early Wednesday, according to Mohammad Naser Nazari, a provincial council member.<\/p>\n\n\n\t