Panic swiftly swept the city. In the days before, district after district in the surrounding province of Balkh had fallen from government control and into the Taliban’s hands. Swathes of northern Afghanistan have in recent weeks suffered a similar fate. This was all the more alarming given that Balkh has a reputation as a bastion of anti-Taliban resistance. It is a long way from the insurgents’ southern heartlands.
A running tally by the Foundation for Defence of Democracies, a think-tank in Washington, estimates the Taliban control close to half the country’s 400-odd districts . The government in Kabul strongly denies this and says any retreats have been temporary and will be reversed. Some districts have been retaken, or have changed hands several times. Many are remote and have little government presence or strategic importance. But the cascade of victories has given the Taliban momentum.
Murtaza Sultani, a 22-year-old driver from a nearby district, says his village fell in mid-June without a shot being fired. He left because the Taliban were seeking volunteers to join them. “Even if they don’t kill us, they restrict people and it’s no way to live,” he says. With no work, he passes the time in the courtyard of Mazar-i-Sharif’s majestic blue mosque: “I don’t have money to leave and the borders are closed.
As the outlook for the army and for civilians looks increasingly desperate, so do the measures proposed by the government. Ashraf Ghani, the president, is trying to mobilise militias to shore up the flimsy army. He has turned for help to figures such as Atta Mohammad Noor, who rose to power as an anti-Soviet and anti-Taliban commander and is now a potentate and businessman in Balkh province.
A land of ethnic cultural groups who have been in conflict for centuries. However they unite to throw out foreign invaders England, India (twice) and Russia. Now the invader is more insidious and backed by external resources in Pakistan. Imran Khan despite his denial does nothing
It won't last. We went there to prolong the war. Without us - no contest.
A lovely country with exquisite art crafts culture and cuisine - now on its knees , so so sad
piles of American-purchased arms and ammunition and fleets of vehicles What a waste? $-billions
the futility to mess in medieval tribal crazy country
What is the Chinas stand about Pakistani taliban as the claim victory over U S military and Stategically raise their voice against China that they dont interfere. Chinas internal matter like China Dosier Urge US interfere in HK will be countered,over and above all India is con
America overstayed in Afghanistan, to show their superiority, not to resolve the insecurity problem.
Democracy is great, right?
good luck
It is not the first time, yanks abandoned friends. They have a long history of bailing out on their friends in their short history as super power 👈 By the way, I must add, it is another good picture, symbolic of the shambolic mess that the yanks have left behind in Afghanistan
If you can't finish something, just don't start it. It's simple & easy.
Opium-Poppy Fields in Afghanistan, controlled by Talibans, were 246,000 Hectares in 2020, which is an increase of 37%. How could US Democracy compete the giant incomes from that business ? Talibans will take the power in days & will make a bloody massacre. Millions will be killed
It seems as we was the only one who was fighting they giving up like this ijs
What’s the alternative?Keep our troops in Afghanistan for the next 200 years Time to move on .
Destruction is the American motto, not the creation!
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