KABUL- Afghanistan military soldiers are deserting bases and surrenderingbefore the Afghan Taliban even without fighting, it has been revealed.

In the last two weeks the Afghan National Army (ANA) deserted their basesin parts of the Faryab province without defending themselvesagainst insurgents.

The officials said the soldiers have left their bases in the Qaisar-Almarand Maimana-Jawzjan highways and have stationed themselves at other basesin district centers in the last few days.

On Monday, an army convoy that had left Ghormach district in the provinceand was heading to Qaisar district was ambushed by the Taliban.

The number of soldiers in the convoy was reportedly between 350 and 400 buttheir clash with the Taliban continued for three hours.

According to the Defense Ministry, 20 soldiers were killed and wounded inthis incident.

Faryab Governor Naqibullah Fayeq admitted that the morale among soldiers islow – especially after the collapse of a base in Ghormach recently.

“The morale of soldiers has been affected,” the governor said. “Talibancame from Darzab district with high morale. They launched propagandacampaigns and we lost areas without any fighting,” Fayeq said.

However, Gen. Amanullah Mobib, the 209 Shaheen Army Corps Commander inBalkh, gave another reason for the army’s decision to leave the bases inFaryab.

“Outposts were in bad condition. They (the soldiers) were ordered to leavethe bases to receive better training and equipment,” said Mobib.

The Ministry of Defense meanwhile said the soldiers in Faryab and otherparts of the country have left their bases based on the four-yearsecurity plan.