The Taliban has seized control of its sixth city in less than a week, dealing another blow to government forces trying to keep Afghanistan out of the hands of Islamists. Fierce fighting is still underway in Lashkar Gah, Kandahar and Herat, while the Taliban claims that Mazar-i-Sharif - the largest city in Afghanistan's north - was attacked today. Meanwhile Nematullah Hemat, a journalist working in Helmand province, was kidnapped on Monday by the Taliban, local officials said. The Taliban struck hard and fast as western forces withdrew, rapidly capturing swathes of Afghan countryside and overrunning government outposts. General Sir Nick Carter, head of the Armed Forces, has urged the UK to stand 'shoulder to shoulder' with Afghan security forces.

Source: Daily Mail August 09, 2021 09:12 UTC