The radical Islamist group hid in houses before launching the early-morning attack. Afghan security forces say they have repelled the group with US air support, yet sporadic fighting continues amid clearing operations.
At roughly 2 a.m. on Friday, Taliban fighters hiding in private residencies around the Afghan provincial capital of Ghazni rushed out into the streets and began a multi-pronged attack on the city.
Clashes with Afghan security forces continued throughout the night and into Friday afternoon. Heavy gunfire and bomb blasts rocked the city, located 120 kilometers (75 miles) south of Kabul, cutting off power and trapping residents in their homes.
Afghan security forces were able to repel the offensive with US air support, but not before the Taliban cut off all communication to the city by destroying the city’s telecommunications tower. It also set fire to the offices of the local television station.
A clearing operation is currently ongoing, however, the fact that Taliban fighters are hiding in people’s homes has made for slow going. Residents and shopkeepers in the city say they are terrified and report that the Taliban had used the loudspeakers at the local mosque to warn them to stay inside.