PESHAWAR: The Taliban have reportedly seized Afghanistan’s second-largest city, Kandahar, as the group’s gains continue after the withdrawal of United States and its allies from the country.
The militant group’s victory of Kandahar is being hailed as a “major victory” for the militants and a”major” blow to the Afghan government . Kandahar city was once the Taliban stronghold and strategically important trade hub.
Speaking to Reuters on Friday, a local government official in Kandahar confirmed that “the Taliban have taken control of Kandahar after clashes with the army last night.” The Taliban have also confirmed claimed that they have taken the control of Zabul and Uruzgan without any resistance from the Afghan armed forces, but the government has not yet confirmed the reports.
Meanwhile, members of the Logar’s provincial council confirmed that the Taliban had entered the provincial capital, Pul-e-Alam, where they had seized police headquarters and fiercely clash, rendering thousands of families displaced.
Sources also said that Lashkar Gah, the southern city and capital of Helmand province, had also fallen to the Taliban, but that these claims had not been officially confirmed. The Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid also claimed that the fighters have besieged Ismail Khan , a pro-government militia commander in Herat. Khan’s pictures were also shared on social media with the Taliban commanders. He has been receiving full government support during the war against the Taliban has been termed as the “Lion of Herat”.
Meanwhile, the United State has announced to send 3,000 more troops to Afghanistan to bring back its diplomatic mission from the country. The United Kingdom also announced to deploy 600 troops to Kabul to help repatriate its citizens.
The United States has warned the militant group against attacks on its troops sent to evacuate US diplomatic staff, while US officials have also telephoned Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to discuss the situation. US secretary of state Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin have spoken with Afghan President Ghani and assured him that Washington supports Afghanistan’s security and stability. They also expressed the need for a political solution of the Afghan conflict.