Afghanistan's ruling Taleban captures a strategic area from opposition forces in heavy fighting Afghanistan's ruling Taleban has captured a strategic area from opposition forces after heavy fighting in central Bamiyan province. The Afghan Islamic Press reports that Taleban troops took the town of Yakawlang Saturday in its latest offensive.
Opposition leaders have yet to respond to the report.
The region has changed hands several times since the Taleban first came to power, and was last captured by the opposition in January. On Friday, the opposition said it had lost ground near the area after heavy fighting against Taleban troops on Thursday. Those fierce clashes came hours after the Taleban rejected a proposal by the United Nations for a temporary ceasefire to help ease the country's refugee crisis. After a meeting with U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Ruud Lubbers in Kabul, Taleban Foreign Minister Wakil Ahmad Muttawakil said a ceasefire is not the answer. He said the only solution is an end to the war.