Hundreds of protesters marched through the night from the western parts of Kabul to the city center, close to the Presidential Palace, in protest against what they say is neglect on the part of government to secure large parts of Ghazni and Uruzgan provinces. 

The protesters accuse government of not providing enough security to the central parts of the country especially in Khas Uruzgan district of Uruzgan province; and Malistan and Jaghori districts of Ghazni province, which is home to mostly Hazaras.

The march started late Sunday night by a few demonstrators but as they marched through the night their numbers grew. By early Monday morning hundreds of protesters had made their way close to the Presidential Palace. 
 
Video footage shows protesters carrying posters with slogans - some reading “Ghani and Abdullah Wake up”.

Sayed Mohammad Roshandil, Kabul police chief, meanwhile told TOLOnews on Monday morning that demonstrators are violating the law as they had not informed police of their planned action ahead of time.

The protesters said the Kabul Garrison chief, General Murad Ali Murad, had tried to stop them from marching and had asked that they send representatives to discuss the issue. However, protesters refused and continued their march. 

Despite government having sent in reinforcement troops to some of the central areas, reports out of Malistan and Jaghori districts say security is not good. 

Reports also indicate that in the past few days dozen of commando troops have been killed in the districts and the districts are under Taliban siege. 

The protesters called on the National Unity Government (NUG) to clear Khas Uruzgan, Jaghori and Malistan districts of Taliban and to send in emergency humanitarian aid to displaced residents, along with extra, permanent, troops to the areas and to establish a military corps in the region.  

The protesters said if their demands are not addressed they will continue their protest and will call for wide-spread action across the country. 

This comes after Taliban last week launched group attacks from several directions on Jaghori district, one of Afghanistan’s most secure districts in Ghazni province. 

Ghazni has 18 districts, of which Malistan, Jaghori and Nawor districts have always been relatively secure. The other districts have often witnessed heavy clashes between government forces and the Taliban.