Afghanistan defense minister and army chief of staff resign in the aftermath of Taliban attack
April 24, 2017
Two top Afghan military officers resigned on Monday, 24 April, after a Taliban attack on an Afghan Army base left more than 140 soldiers dead, according to government officials. “Defence Minister Abdullah Habibi and Army Chief of Staff Qadam Shah Shahim stepped down with immediate effect,” the presidential palace tweeted. The attack took place on Friday, when at least seven Taliban militants infiltrated the 209th Corps base in the northern Balkh Province, using army vehicles and uniforms as disguise. Two of the attackers blew themselves up, while the others opened fire on unarmed soldiers, dining in the canteen or leaving the mosque after Friday prayers.