The Taliban have captured at least four more provincial capitals in Afghanistan as government forces struggle to contain the group's rapid advance and Washington and London prepare to send additional troops to help evacuate civilian personnel from their embassies, as well as Afghan special immigrant visa applicants still inside the country.
Local media reported that the cities of Lashkar Gah, the capital of southwestern Helmand Province; Qala-i-Naw, the capital of northwestern Badghis Province; Firuz Koh, in central Ghor Province; and Kandahar, Afghanistan's second-largest city and the capital of the eponymous southern province fell to group between 12 and 13 August.
The Taliban also claim to have captured Qalat in southern Zabul Province, Tarinkot in southern Uruzgan Province, and Puli Alam (also spelled Pol-e Alam) in eastern Logar Province, as the group expands its control over most of the south, north, and west of the country while closing in on the capital Kabul.
Taliban fighters drive an Afghan National Army vehicle through a street in Kandahar shortly after capturing the southern city on 13 August. (AFP via Getty Images)
Fighting continues in several other parts of the country, including in Mazar-i-Sharif: the country's fourth-largest city and the capital of northern Balkh Province.
Should the fall of Qalat, Tarinkot, and Puli Alam be confirmed, this would mean that the Taliban have now captured 18 provincial capitals, more than half of country's total of 34, since 6 August.
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