Situation Continues To Worsen In Afghanistan As Taliban Captures Another Province

Kabul: The Taliban captured yet another province capital on Monday. Amidst the return of the U.S. and NATO troops, the rebels continued their attack. In the recent weeks, militants have spread their reach across all of Afghanistan and are now targetting provincial capitals, after gaining control over districts and large rural areas. In addition to this, they are now targeting senior Government officials in the nations’s capital city of Kabul.

Despite being criticised on an international level and warnings by the UN that the Taliban’s victory and power will not be recognised, the attacks still continue.

The Taliban has completely ignored the repeated appeals made by the Afghan Government to participate in negotiations.

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Taliban captures one more provincial capital

Mohammed Noor Rahmani, Council head for the Northern province of Sar-e-Pul, has notified that the Taliban has captured the provincial capital. As per his statement, the security forces in Afghanistan put up a week-long fight to protect the city from being captured by the Taliban, but the city of Sar-e-Pul was ultimately occupied by the Taliban.

He shared that government forces have completely withdrawn from the province. Rahmani also stated that several supporters from the pro government local militias laid down their weapons in front of the rebels, which lead to the occupation of the state. Along with the capture of Sar-e-Pul, the Taliban has also occupied Zaranj, the capital city of Western province of Nimroz along with Shebargan, the capital city of Northern province of Jouzjan and Talkan City, the capital of another Northern province of Talkan.

Taliban captures Kunduz, big blow to Afghan government

In an attempt to gain control over North Kunduz region of Afghanistan, The Taliban has attacked its capital, Kunduz City. They hoisted their flag at the city’s main crossing on Sunday. The capture of Kunduz will be a decisive step for the Taliban. It is one of the largest cities in the country with a population of almost 3.40 lakhs.

The head of the provincial council of Sar-e-Pul, Rahmani stated that the state capital has been under siege for many weeks and additional military support is not available. A video being circulated on social media on Monday shows the Talibani soldiers congratulating each other in front of the Governor’s office in Sar-e-Pul over the victory.

Withdrawal of US troops

Amid the withdrawl of US and NATO troops from Afghanistan, the Taliban has taken a more aggressive approach, whereas the Afghan Security forces and Government forces have launched counter attacks and also carried out air strikes with assistance from the US. Concerns are on the rise over civilian casualties.

The rebels have also captured Lashkar Gah, the capital of southern province of Helmand, where they took over nine out police stations last week. Intense shelling along with airstrikes by US-Afghan Coalition Forces has ravaged the city and decimated a health clinic and high school. A spokesperson from the Defence Ministry has confirmed the air strikes carried out on the city of Lashkargah. He shared that the forces have targeted multiple locations of Talibani hold, where 54 Talibani extremists were killed and 23 other Talibanis were injured. There is no mention of bombing of schools and clinics.

The Talibani fighters entered the capital of the Jouzjan province and captured 9 out of 10 districts in the province. The capital city of Kandahar Province, Kandahar city has also been occupied by them. The Taliban has issued a statement in English on Sunday mentioning that the residents, government officials and security forced need not be afraid of them.