KABUL, Afghanistan — Afghan troops backed by U.S. airstrikes massed Tuesday on the outskirts of a key northern city seized by the Taliban in the buildup for what is likely to be a long and difficult campaign to drive out the insurgents.

Despite the overnight U.S. bombing of Taliban positions, the militants extended their grip on Kunduz, forcing government forces to retreat from a strategic fortress hilltop and giving the insurgents a vantage point overlooking the city. The airport remained the only pocket of resistance to the militant onslaught, which began with a coordinated attack Monday that took the government, military and intelligence agencies by surprise.

At least three U.S. airstrikes had targeted Taliban fighters near the city by early Wednesday. U.S. Army spokesman, Col. Brian Tribus, said that U.S. and NATO coalition advisers, including special forces, were also at the scene “in the Kunduz area, advising Afghan security forces.”

He denied reports that they were fighting on the ground, stressing the forces were there in a non-combat, train-and-assist role. “But these are dangerous situations and if they need to defend themselves, they will,” Tribus added.

Residents reported increasing distress as insurgents put the city under virtual lockdown, blocking roads and setting up checkpoints to prevent people from leaving. The roadblocks also kept essential supplies of food and medicine from reaching the city of some 300,000 people.

Afghan military planners, backed by U.S. and NATO advisers, were bringing in units from across the nation’s security forces – army, air force, police, special forces and commandos. Coordination and planning was likely to take some time: The Afghan forces have been fighting alone only since the withdrawal last year of U.S. and NATO combat troops, and the learning curve has been steep and casualties high.

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The protracted crisis is a huge blow for President Ashraf Ghani, who took office a year ago pledging to restore peace to Afghanistan, and who had promised Kunduz would soon be back under government control.

But the complicated nature of the fight and the need for a cross-pillar approach under a single command means it could be some time before progress is visible, military experts said.

“Neither heavy artillery nor airstrikes on the city itself are practical as the Taliban have embedded themselves within the civilian population,” said retired Afghan army Gen. Atiqullah Amerkhail.

When the strategy is rolled out it is likely to see Afghan special forces airdropped to clear major roads and narrow alleyways, with follow-up reinforcements sent in to hold the cleared areas, he said.


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