US intelligence believes the militants could take over the capital within 90 days
Armed men attend a gathering to announce their support for Afghan security forces and that they are ready to fight against the Taliban, on the outskirts of Kabul, Afghanistan, in this photo taken on June 23 2021. Picture: REUTERSAfghan government forces battled Taliban fighters in and around several cities on Thursday, officials said, as the militants pressed on with their offensive that US intelligence believes could see them take over the capital, Kabul, within 90 days.
“Fighting did not stop until 4am and then after the first prayers it started up again,” said an aid worker in the southern city of Kandahar. The Taliban said they had captured airports outside the cities of Kunduz and Sheberghan in the north and Farah in the west, making it even more difficult to supply beleaguered government forces.
Faizabad city, in the northeastern province of Badakhshan, on Wednesday became the eighth provincial capital to be seized by the Taliban. Biden said on Tuesday he did not regret his decision to withdraw and urged Afghan leaders to fight for their homeland.Even when the Taliban ruled the country they did not control all of the north. This time, they appear to be determined to secure it fully before turning their attention to Kabul.
All gateways to Kabul, which lies on a plain surrounded by mountains, were choked with civilians fleeing violence, a Western security source said, adding that there was a risk Taliban fighters could be among them.
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