Mohammad Ilyas Dayee

Afghanistan -- Afghan soldiers pose for a group photo during a patrol to take back the control of Baba Ji district from Taliban militants in Helmand province, February 14, 2016

February 02, 2017

Intense Battle Key To Sealing Fate Of Afghan Province

A battle in a remote district in southern Afghanistan is likely to shape the future of the struggle for the country’s largest province.

FILE: Pakistani supporters of the Afghan Taliban pray for late Taliban leader Mullah Muhammad Omar in Quetta, Pakistan in August 2015.

December 22, 2016

Are The Taliban Leaders Back In Afghanistan?

While some Taliban leaders are apparently active in southern Afghanistan, there is no definitive proof that the entire insurgent chain of command now operates from within Afghanistan.

Afghan National Army commandos take position during a military operation in Helmand Province on October 9.

November 01, 2016

Afghan Security Chief Vows To Reclaim Territory From The Taliban

A senior Afghan security official says his forces will fight to take back most of the territories lost to the Taliban in Afghanistan’s largest province.

Mounds of trash, which are likely to spread disease among Lashkar Gah's 200,000 residents, are piling up.

September 30, 2016

Besieged Afghan City Faces Trash Pileup

The provincial capital of Helmand Province in southern Afghanistan is struggling to improve sanitation as displaced families fleeing the Taliban add to its population.

Members of the Afghan security forces take position during an operation against Taliban fighters in Helmand province in May.

September 27, 2016

Afghan Officials Dissect Taliban Success In Southern Province

Afghan officials point to systemic weaknesses within the government forces as the main reason for the Taliban’s rapid advance in Afghanistan’s largest province, Helmand.

An Afghan policeman searches commuters at a checkpoint in Helmand on August 9.

September 01, 2016

Residents Urge Government To Break Taliban Siege Of Southern Afghan Capital

Residents of Lashkar Gah, capital of Helmand Province in southern Afghanistan, have urged Kabul to swiftly move to end their city’s nearly four-month siege by the Taliban, who have made significant gains in recent weeks.

Afghan forces are fighting the Taliban in Nad-e Ali Helamand Province.

August 11, 2016

Government Failures Enabled Taliban Advances In Helmand

Afghan government mistakes and weaknesses have aided the Taliban’s advances in Helmand. This key province in southern Afghanistan is central to the insurgents’ drive to return to power.

Afghan forces prepare for combat during an ongoing battle with Taliban in the Nad-e Ali district of Helmand Province on August 10.

August 10, 2016

In Restive Helmand, Afghan Forces Try To Stem The Taliban Tide

Afghan forces are trying to hold off a Taliban offensive that has effectively besieged the capital of Afghanistan’s largest province.

Afghan security officials take positions during a gunbattle between Taliban suicide bombers and Afghan security officials in Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital of Helmand province, May 13, 2015

August 08, 2016

Taliban Close Major Highway To Southern Province

The Taliban have cut off a major highway to Lashkar Gah, the besieged capital of the restive southern province of Helmand where insurgents claims to have made significant advances recently.

Afghan farmers extracts raw opium to be processed into heroine at a poppy field in Helmand, April 2016.

July 21, 2016

Taliban Seize Windfall Afghan Poppy Harvests

Three annual poppy harvests in Afghanistan’s most dangerous province are creating a bonanza for the Taliban, helping to boost their war coffers as they engage in one of their most violent annual campaigns.

The crumbling walls of Qala-e Bost in Helmand.

July 17, 2016

Helmand’s Archeological Glories Vanishing

War, neglect, and plunder are threatening one of Afghanistan’s most important archeological monuments with being devoured by muddy river waters.

WATCH: Afghanistan Puts New Aircraft On Display In Kabul

June 16, 2016

Afghan Airpower Seeking To Make A Mark Amid Taliban Onslaught

Afghanistan’s fledgling air force is playing a vital role in backing the fight against the resurgent Taliban. On one of the most active front lines, more planes are needed to defeat the insurgents.

Members of the Afghan security forces take position during an operation against Taliban fighters in Helmand's Marjah district May 20.

May 30, 2016

Lawmaker Says Taliban Poised To Overrun Key Afghan City

A lawmaker in Afghanistan’s largest province has warned that its capital could fall to the Taliban if the government fails to immediately send reinforcements to stop the insurgent advance.

April 17, 2016

Afghan Forces Working Hard To Save Helmand

By retraining, reinforcing, and re-equipping troops, Afghanistan is working hard to save its largest province from falling to the Taliban, whose offensive this year appears to aim at adding more territory to half of the province they already control.

Afghan security officials move injured victims from the scene of a suicide bomb attack that targeted a convoy of foreign forces in Lashkar Gah in November 2015.

March 24, 2016

Residents Fear Taliban Takeover Of Vital Afghan Provincial Capital

The residents of Lashkar Gah, the capital of restive southern Helmand Province, are bracing for a possible Taliban seizure as the insurgents now appears to be inching closer to surrounding the city in a virtual siege.

For beleaguered Afghan civilians life in a remote Afghan frontline goes on despite threats of insurgent attacks and daily battles between government forces and the Taliban.

March 14, 2016

Living With The War In Helmand

For beleaguered Afghan civilians, life on a remote Afghan frontline goes on despite the threat of insurgent attacks and daily battles between government forces and the Taliban.

Afghan soldiers pose for a group photo during a patrol in Helmand province on February 14.

February 29, 2016

Tribal Leaders Oppose Creating A Safe Zone For Taliban Talks In Southern Afghanistan

Lawmakers and tribal leaders have opposed handing over certain contested regions in southern Afghanistan to the Taliban to facilitate their participation in peace talks with the Afghan government.

Abdul Jabbar Qahraman surrounded by senior officers of the Afghan army.

January 27, 2016

Former Communist 'Hero' To Lead Fight Against Taliban In Restive Afghan Province

A former Afghan communist declared a war 'hero' for battling anti-Soviet mujahedin guerillas is now leading the fight against Taliban forces on one of Afghanistan's most dangerous frontlines.

Members of the Afghan security forces stand around a lightly armored vehicle during an operation against Taliban fighters in Helmand, December 2015.

January 07, 2016

Once Touted As Major NATO Victory, Afghan District Is Contested Again

A remote Afghan town where NATO claimed success after a major operation during its Afghanistan campaign is now a contested frontline between Afghan forces and the Taliban.

Afghan security officials shift injured victims from the scene of a suicide bomb attack that targeted a conoy of foreign forces in Lashkar Gah, Helmand in November.

December 07, 2015

Afghan Village ‘A Living Hell’ Amid Fighting

A village in a restive southern province in Afghanistan encapsulates the insecurity, fear, and challenges civilians endure merely to survive amid escalating chaos.