New Delhi: The Taliban on Friday claimed to have captured one of Afghanistan’s second largest cities, Kandahar. Along with this, certain areas and the capital Kabul are in the hands of the government.
The city used to be a Taliban stronghold and was also the trade center of the country. It is also considered the birthplace of the Taliban.
Calling it a milestone, a Taliban spokesman tweeted: “Kandahar completely conquered. Mujahideen reach Shaheed Chowk.”
The claim was confirmed by a resident of Kandahar, who told AFP that government forces had withdrawn and moved to military facilities outside the city.
The Taliban captured Kandahar along with Ghazni and Kala-e-Nav on Thursday, a day after the Taliban captured Herat, Afghanistan’s third-largest city.
Herat was under terrorist attack for two weeks with a wave from the arrival of Sardar Ismail Khan and his army. But on Thursday afternoon Taliban fighters breached the city’s defensive lines and later said they were in control.
The Associated Press reported on Thursday that US military intelligence assessments suggested that Kabul could come under insurgent pressure within 30 days and that if trends continue, the Taliban could gain full control of the country within a few months. The report said the Afghan government may eventually be forced to back down to defend the capital and some other cities in the coming days.
A large number of US military troops are likely to be sent back to help evacuate the US embassy and bring American people back to the US by special flights. According to AFP, the Pentagon said 3,000 US troops would be stationed in Kabul within the next 24 to 48 hours, but these troops would not attack the Taliban.
Similarly, the UK will deploy 600 troops to repatriate its citizens, with UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace saying London will support the transfer of former Afghan workers who risked their lives in UK service, according to AFP Was.
According to media reports, thousands have fled the cities for fear that taking control of the Taliban would mean a brutal and oppressive government eroding women’s rights, and even public dissection, There will also be stone pelting and hanging. Witnesses said Taliban fighters who were once in Herat prison are now roaming freely on the streets.
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