Taliban claim capture of Kandahar, Afghanistan’s second largest city

KATHMANDU:. AUGUST 13 – The Taliban has also claimed control of Kandahar, Afghanistan’s second-largest city. Taking control of the city would be a significant victory for the Taliban.

The city was once a stronghold of the Taliban and a major trading center in Afghanistan. Amid ongoing fighting in Afghanistan, the Taliban on Thursday seized control of the main cities of Ghazni and Herat. As the Taliban continued to expand across the country, it was considered the most dramatic series of seizures.

World powers, meanwhile, have warned they will not recognize a military-backed government in Afghanistan. The United States and Britain have said they will send troops back to Kabul to evacuate their embassy staff and civilians from Afghanistan.

A Taliban spokesman claimed that Kandahar had been won, but could not confirm that. Sources said the Taliban also controlled Lashkar Gah, the capital of southern Helmand province. However, that has not yet been independently confirmed.

The Taliban now control much of the northern part of the country. It has so far controlled a third of the country. As the Taliban moves towards the capital, Kabul, widespread concerns are being expressed. Thousands of civilians have fled Taliban-held territory in Kabul.

Kandahar is the city where the Taliban originated and was previously their stronghold. They had taken control of the outskirts of the city weeks ago. On Wednesday, the Taliban entered the central jail in Kandahar.

Similarly, Taliban insurgents were seen in social media posts in the city’s main centers on Thursday. Kandahar is considered to be of strategic importance as it has an international airport. The region is also the country’s main trading center. After taking control of strategically important Ghazni on Thursday, the Taliban were expected to gain control of the capital, Kabul. They has also captured the third-largest city, Herat.

The US-led foreign military withdrew from Afghanistan a few weeks ago after a 20-year military campaign. Since then, the Taliban have been gaining control of new areas on a daily basis. The city of Kuala Lumpur is also under Taliban control.