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Afghan civilians flee Kunduz to escape government battle with Taliban

In this Oct. 16, 2015, file photo, an employee of Doctors Without Borders walks inside the charred remains of the organization's hospital after it was hit by a U.S. airstrike in Kunduz, Afghanistan.
In this Oct. 16, 2015, file photo, an employee of Doctors Without Borders walks inside the charred remains of the organization's hospital after it was hit by a U.S. airstrike in Kunduz, Afghanistan. AP Photo/Najim Rahim, File

KABUL – Afghan officials say civilians are leaving the northern city of Kunduz to escape fighting between government forces and the Taliban insurgents, a battle that is now in its fourth day.

Gen. Qasim Jungalbagh, Kunduz province police chief, said Thursday one Afghan solider was killed and another three wounded in overnight fighting.

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READ MORE: Obama apologizes to Doctors Without Borders for Kunduz hospital airstrike

He says the insurgents have been pushed back from the city’s south.

The head of the provincial council, Mohammad Yusouf Ayubi, says gunbattles in the east and west of the city continued throughout the night. He says shortages of food and water are also forcing people out of the city.

READ MORE: Taliban leader says capture of Afghan city was ‘symbolic victory’ for insurgents

The U.S. military spokesman in Afghanistan, Brig. Gen. Charles Cleveland says Afghan commandoes are clearing “isolated pockets of Taliban resistance” within the city.

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Taliban attacked the city early Monday.

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