BREAKING: The Taliban have captured Afghanistan’s third-largest city, witnesses say. The seizure of Herat marks the biggest prize yet for the Taliban, which has taken 11 of 34 provincial capitals as the American military mission nears an end.
Taliban fighters patrol inside the city of Ghazni, southwest of Kabul, Afghanistan, Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021. The Taliban captured the provincial capital near Kabul on Thursday, the 10th the insurgents have taken over a weeklong blitz across Afghanistan as the U.S. and NATO prepare to withdraw entirely from the country after decades of war.
The latest U.S. military intelligence assessment suggests Kabul could come under insurgent pressure within 30 days and that, if current trends hold, the Taliban could gain full control of the country within a few months. The Afghan government may eventually be forced to pull back to defend the capital and just a few other cities in the coming days if the Taliban keep up their momentum.
It wasn’t immediately clear what happened to Khan, who earlier had been described as under attack with his forces at a government building. Afghan Interior Ministry spokesman Mirwais Stanekzai later said the governor and his deputies had been arrested over that alleged deal. The officials could not be immediately reached for comment.
In neighboring Kandahar, the Taliban attacked a prison in the capital city and freed inmates inside Wednesday night, officials said. On Thursday, Kandahar provincial governor spokesman Bahir Ahmadi acknowledged that the Taliban had entered the capital, also called Kandahar, but said Afghan forces were fighting to push them back.
Brasil Últimas Notícias, Brasil Manchetes
Similar News:Você também pode ler notícias semelhantes a esta que coletamos de outras fontes de notícias.
US keeping distance as Afghan forces face Taliban routAfghan government forces are collapsing even faster than U.S. military leaders thought possible just a few months ago when President Joe Biden ordered a full withdrawal. Biden has made clear he has no intention of reversing the decision he made last spring, even as the outcome seems to point toward a Taliban takeover. With most U.S. troops now gone and the Taliban accelerating their battlefield gains, American military leaders are not pressing him to change his mind.
Consulte Mais informação »
Taliban committed to Doha negotiations, Afghan government demands mediator -Al JazeeraA spokesman for the Taliban's political office told Al Jazeera TV on Tuesday that the group is committed to the negotiation path in Doha and does not want it to collapse.
Consulte Mais informação »
Ghani replaces Afghan military chief mid-Taliban blitz on major citiesThe appointment of General Hibatullah Alizai to lead the Afghan armed forces comes at a crucial time as the insurgent group intensifies assault on provincial capitals.
Consulte Mais informação »
Factbox: Afghan cities taken over or contested by TalibanHere’s a list of provincial capitals in Afghanistan that have fallen to or are being contested by the Taliban Graphic: Taliban flashpoints in Afghanistan
Consulte Mais informação »
Afghan officials: 3 more provincial capitals fall to TalibanKABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The Taliban seized three more provincial capitals in Afghanistan, officials said Wednesday, putting nine of the nation's 34 in the insurgents' hands amid the U.S. withdrawal from the country.
Consulte Mais informação »
US keeping distance as Afghan forces face Taliban routWASHINGTON (AP) — Afghan government forces are collapsing even faster than U.S. military leaders thought possible just a few months ago when President Joe Biden ordered a full withdrawal. But there's little appetite at the White House, the Pentagon or among the American public for trying to stop the rout and it probably is too late to do so.
Consulte Mais informação »