KABUL (Reuters) - The Afghan Taliban said they were withdrawing from the centre of the northern city of Kunduz on Tuesday in order to protect civilians, emphasizing the pull-back was not a defeat.
The Taliban have mounted a wave of attacks in the capital Kabul and beyond since the withdrawal of most foreign troops last year, culminating in the seizure of Kunduz in a carefully orchestrated offensive at the end of last month.
Though the Taliban only controlled the city for three days, fighting between the militants and Afghan security forces continued for two weeks, driving tens of thousands of residents to seek safety in neighbouring provinces.
The Taliban, seeking to re-establish their hard-line Islamist regime after it was toppled by U.S.-led military intervention in 2001, said their decision to move out of Kunduz city was not a sign of defeat.
"We assure our people and the world that we are able to seize the city," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement.
"Pulling back from Kunduz city and government compounds is based on consultation in order to protect civilians from bombings and prolonging it is a waste of humans and ammunitions."
Kunduz police chief Mohammad Qasim Jangalbagh said the city centre had been cleared and residents were starting to return.
"Getting the city back to normal, Afghan government forces are removing the destroyed vehicles and roadblocks from the city," Jangalbagh said.
(Reporting by Hamid Shalizi; Editing by Nick Macfie)
