The Taliban in Afghanistan late at night seized the city of Faizabad, which has become the ninth provincial capital taken by the insurgent group within a week, out of 34 provinces in the country. An Afghan deputy reported that intense battles took place between Afghan forces and the Taliban in this city before the group imposed its control, with heavy losses incurred by both sides. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani arrived in Mazar-i-Sharif to support his forces in the northern region of the country, towards which the Taliban forces are advancing. Ghani is scheduled to meet with the strongman of Mazar-i-Sharif, Ata Muhammad Noor, and the well-known warlord Abdul Rashid Dostum.
An Afghan deputy stated on Wednesday that the Taliban had taken control of Faizabad in northern Afghanistan, marking the ninth provincial capital the extremist insurgents have seized in less than a week. The insurgent group now controls capitals in nine provinces out of 34 in Afghanistan, including seven of the nine provincial capitals in the north. Deputy Zabihullah Atiq noted, "Late last night, security forces were still fighting the Taliban for several days, but they were under severe pressure. The Taliban has now taken the city, and both sides suffered heavy losses."
The Taliban has been making rapid advances since the start of the withdrawal of foreign troops, which is set to be completed by August 31, following 20 years of international forces led by the United States occupying Afghanistan after the September 11, 2001 attacks.
President Ashraf Ghani visits Mazar-i-Sharif as the Taliban seized Faizabad late at night, marking the ninth provincial capital taken since last Friday. The Afghan president intends to "assess the overall security situation in the northern region," according to a statement from the presidential palace. Additionally, he is likely to hold talks with Ata Muhammad Noor, the strongman of Mazar-i-Sharif, and the well-known warlord Abdul Rashid Dostum regarding the defense of the city as Taliban fighters advance towards its outskirts.
The loss of Mazar-i-Sharif, if it occurs, would be a catastrophic blow to the Kabul government and would signify a complete collapse of its control over the north, an area known for being a stronghold of anti-Taliban militants. Hours before Ghani's arrival, images published on government social media showed Dostum boarding a plane in Kabul alongside a battalion of armed personnel on his way to Mazar-i-Sharif. The security situation in Afghanistan has significantly deteriorated since May when the U.S.-led international coalition began the final phase of its withdrawal from the country, which is expected to be completed by the end of this month.
