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Women in Afghanistan Join Forces to Fight Militants

by Mirwais Bezhan

   A group of 150 women in the northern Jawzjan province of Afghanistan
   have taken up arms to fight Taliban and Islamic State militants.

   Some of the women, who live in the violence-plagued districts of Qoosh
   Tapa and Darz A'ab, say Taliban and IS militants killed the male
   members of their families.

   Mumlakat is a woman from Qoosh Tapa district:

   "They killed three of my sons and burned down our livelihood. Now we
   have come out to fight IS," she said.

   The Afghan women, who say they are ready to fight alongside men from
   their districts, say they can no longer tolerate the brutalities of the
   militants.

   Nafisa is a resident from Darz A'ab district:

   "They [the militants] killed my brother, sister, and a nephew. That is
   why I took the arms and seek the Afghan government's help in the fight
   against IS," she said.

   Hafeez Khashi, the local national police commander, said they are
   trying to support and equip the women.