Alizai had been heading the Special Forces until now. There were no comments from official sources on the reasons behind the replacement of former army chief Gen. Wali Mohammad Ahmadzai, who had only recently taken charge, along with the newly appointed Defense Minister Gen. Bismillah Mohammadi. According to the local Etilaat Roz daily, the former army chief was criticized by parliament for failing to properly lead the military against the Taliban. Taliban capture Kunduz airportMeanwhile, the Kunduz airport in northern Afghanistan fell to the Taliban, making it the first such key facility to be overrun by the advancing insurgents, reported local media. "Kunduz airport is completely 'conquered'.

Source: The Nation August 11, 2021 16:52 UTC