गृहपृष्ठ ∕ International ∕ Taliban claim control over 2 major cities in southern Afghanistan International Taliban claim control over 2 major cities in southern Afghanistan KathmanduPati August 13, 2021 KABUL – Taliban militants on Friday claimed to have taken control over key southern Afghan cities of Lashkar Gah and Kandahar, after weeks of heavy clashes between the Taliban and government forces. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said on his social media account that they overran government offices, including provincial police headquarters, in Lashkar Gah, capital of Helmand province, on Thursday night. Helmand has been regarded as a Taliban stronghold during the past two decades, but Afghan soldiers were holding control over Lashkar Gah and many of the suburban districts. He also claimed that the militants seized all parts of Kandahar city, capital of neighboring Kandahar province. Footages went viral on social media showed that Taliban fighters were patrolling in the city early Friday. On Thursday night, Taliban declared that they captured Herat and Qala-e-Naw cities in western part of the country while unconfirmed reports said western city of Firoz Koah also has fallen to the Taliban. The Afghan government has not confirmed the claim by the Taliban so far. Fighting has intensified since May in Afghanistan and Taliban militants have recently been mounting pressure on major cities. Write your comments RELATED NEWS Iran nears Hormuz deal amid regional tensions FIFA withdraws world cup commercial stake sale plan Nepal’s trade deficit hits record despite export growth Meta fined $567m over harm to children’s mental health Nepal pushes stronger China-South Asia economic cooperation Trump renews push to restrict US birth right citizenship Top Headlines Monsoon is predictable and Nepal’s disaster response should be too1 Before the Ballots: How Oli Lost the Political Narrative2 Balen’s Silence Has Invited Curiosity, Confusion, and Concerns3 Nepal “a Buffer State”: Rethinking foreign policy in relative terms4 Promotion Linked to Future Military Leadership: Major General Magar Could Become Army Chief5 Nepal’s Political Renaissance: The rise of the RSP, the re-ordering of the old political order and the political path forward6 Jagdamba Group Chairman Shankar Agrawal Arrested7 ‘Promotion of Ayurveda, Yoga and meditation along with modern medicine positive’8 TRENDING Pathao, Tootle resume ride sharing services after authorities relax lockdown Police make a woman public in connection to Gongabu murder case Nearly three dozen Chinese manufacturers show interest in supplying electric buses to Nepali government India-Nepal Bilateral Dialogue is the only way forward: Dr. Nihar Nayak Hetauda Cement Industry resumes operation Prime Minister Oli’s confidante Prem Kumar Rai recommended as CIAA Chief Commissioner Ninth grader Sakshat sings rap song against caste-based discrimination APF sets up border outpost at Rupal in Dadeldhura district
