Taliban close to Kabul, seize 18 of 34 provinces as Afghan govt says ‘we stand agency’ | 5 factors

Taliban have seized Afghanistan’s second- and third-biggest cities as resistance from authorities forces failed, stoking fears that an assault on the capital Kabul could possibly be simply days away. With each passing day, the vital cities of Afghanistan have been falling into the arms of Taliban.

A authorities official confirmed that Kandahar, the financial hub of the south, is now beneath Taliban management.HERE ARE FIVE KEY DEVELOPMENTS1) Taking management of 18 out of 34 provinces: Afghanistan has 34 provinces in complete, with Taliban now controlling an estimated 65 p.c of the nation’s territory. In complete, Afghanistan has 34 provinces. Out of them, 18 have fallen, which implies Taliban now management roughly 65 per cent of the complete nation’s territory.The provinces which have fallen are, Zaranj (August 6), Sheberghan (August 7), Sar-e-Pul (August 8), Kunduz (August 8), Taluqan (August 8), Aybak (August 9), Farah (August 10), Pul-e-Khumri (August 10), Faizabad (August 11), Ghazni (August 12), Herat (August 12), Kandahar (August 12), Lashkar Gah (August 13), Qala-e Naw (August 13), Feruz Koh (August 13), Pul-e Alam (August 13), Terakot (August 13), Qalat (August 13).ALSO READ: Taliban tighten grip on Afghanistan as all eyes flip to capital Kabul, govt says it ‘stands agency’2) President Ashraf Ghani more likely to tackle the nation: With stress mounting on Afghan authorities and forces as Taliban shut in, there are experiences that the President of Afghanistan, Ashraf Ghani, might tackle the nation. The Taliban and Pakistan, nevertheless, demand his resignation.Sources mentioned that the Ashraf Ghani, is more likely to tackle the nation on Saturday to tell them concerning the destiny of its authorities. The assembly will probably be about how the transition may happen. Late on Friday, the federal government, nevertheless, confirmed that it stands and has full religion on its defence forces.ALSO READ: Taliban detain veteran militia chief Mohammad Ismail Khan in Afghanistan’s Herat3) We stand agency, says Afghan authorities: Afghan First Vice President Amrullah Saleh mentioned he was happy with the nation’s armed forces.In in the present day’s assembly on nationwide safety chaired by Prz @ashrafghani it was determined with conviction & resolve that WE STAND FIRM AGAINST TALIBAN TERRORISTS & DO EVERTYHING TO STREGNTHEN THE NATIONAL RESISTANCE BY ALL MEANS AND WAYS. PERIOD. We are happy with our ANDSF.— Amrullah Saleh (@AmrullahSaleh2) August 13, 2021
“It was decided with conviction & resolve that WE STAND FIRM AGAINST TALIBAN TERRORISTS & DO EVERYTHING TO STRENGTHEN THE NATIONAL RESISTANCE BY ALL MEANS AND WAYS. PERIOD,” he tweeted after a nationwide safety assembly chaired by President Ashraf Ghani. The combating has raised fears of a refugee disaster and a rollback of positive aspects in human rights because the Taliban had been ousted.LONG READ: Who are the Taliban? 4) NATO envoys meet on Taliban blitz in Afghanistan: NATO envoys had been assembly Friday in Brussels to debate developments in Afghanistan amid a quickly deteriorating safety scenario within the wake of the relentless Taliban offensive there. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and 30 nationwide ambassadors had been collaborating within the assembly in Brussels, in line with a NATO official who spoke on situation of anonymity, consistent with laws.“Allies are constantly consulting on the situation on Afghanistan,” the official mentioned, including that Stoltenberg was “in regular contact with allies and the Afghan authorities.” “NATO is monitoring the security situation very closely. We continue to coordinate with the Afghan authorities and the rest of the international community,” the official mentioned.ALSO READ: After Kandahar, Taliban seize Logar province, solely 90 km from Afghanistan capital Kabul5) US rushes troops to hurry up evacuation: Rapid Taliban conquests throughout Afghanistan led the Biden administration on Friday to hurry 3,000 contemporary troops to the Kabul airport to assist with a partial evacuation of the US Embassy within the capital and ship 1000’s extra to the area, to be on standby and pace airlifts for Afghans who labored with the American navy. The short-term buildup of troops for US evacuations highlights the gorgeous tempo of the Taliban takeover of a lot of the nation. The Taliban accomplished their sweep of the nation’s south on Friday as they took 4 extra provincial capitals in a lightning offensive that’s regularly encircling Kabul, simply weeks earlier than the US is ready to formally finish its two-decade battle.ALSO READ: Taliban seize Afghanistan’s largest cities Kandahar, Herat; US begins evacuating embassies