Thousands flee homes ahead of expected battle near Afghan city

Policemen fire from an armoured vehicle during a battle with Taliban insurgents in Kunduz province, Afghanistan May 3, 2015. REUTERS/Stringer

KABUL (Reuters) - As many as 10,000 Afghan families have fled their homes as Taliban insurgents and government forces prepared for a major battle for control of the southern fringes of Kunduz city, officials said on Wednesday.

The World Food Programme is preparing food packages for displaced families and expects to start distributing them this weekend.