The rapid advance of the Taliban over several regions and its control of the tenth provincial capital in Afghanistan has sparked widespread reactions. Germany pledged not to provide funds to Afghanistan if the Taliban takes power and implements Islamic law, while Turkey stated that the plan for Kabul Airport "will be determined" in the coming days. From the Turkish embassy in Islamabad, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said on Thursday that it would be beneficial for Kabul Airport to remain open, adding that the related plan "will be determined" in the upcoming days. Turkey had previously offered to deploy forces at Kabul Airport following the withdrawal of NATO forces.
Over the past two weeks, Turkey has held talks with the United States. In return, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan requested financial, logistical, and diplomatic conditions, while the Taliban warned Ankara against keeping troops in Afghanistan to protect the airport. Earlier on Thursday, Taliban fighters seized the tenth provincial capital in Afghanistan within a week, according to Agence France-Presse, by taking control of the city of Ghazni. The movement already controls about two-thirds of Afghanistan, with the last international soldier under U.S. command set to leave by the end of this month.
The Taliban is waging war on multiple fronts, leading thousands of families to flee from regions in hopes of finding safety in Kabul and other cities. Commenting on the Taliban's rapid advance, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas told ZDF on Thursday that Germany would not provide any financial support to Afghanistan if the Taliban seized control of the country and implemented Islamic law. He stated, "We provide 430 million euros (505 million dollars) each year and we will not give a single cent if the Taliban takes control of the country and implements Islamic law."
Officials reported that Afghan government forces were engaged in battles with Taliban fighters in several cities and their surroundings on Thursday, as the Taliban continues its assault, which U.S. intelligence believes could lead to their control of the capital Kabul within 90 days.
Regarding the capture of Ghazni city, a senior security official stated that the Taliban seized Ghazni, located on the main road between Kabul and Kandahar, occupying all government institution facilities after fierce clashes. Reuters reported the official as saying, "All local government officials, including the provincial governor, have been moved towards Kabul."
Kandahar city is witnessing intense fighting. A doctor stated on Wednesday evening that the city's hospital received dozens of corpses from armed forces and some injured Taliban fighters. The Taliban claimed to have taken control of the regional prison in Kandahar and stated that they have seized airports outside the cities of Kunduz and Shirkhan in the north and Farah in the west, making it more difficult to supply isolated government forces.
The Taliban also reported that they have taken over the local government headquarters in Lashkar Gah, the capital of the southern Helmand province, known as a stronghold for the movement. To halt the advance, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani is heading to Mazar-i-Sharif city to rally local leaders as Taliban forces approach. This comes as U.S. intelligence reported that Kabul, located just 150 kilometers northeast, could fall into Taliban hands within 90 days. An American official indicated on Wednesday that a U.S. intelligence report stated that the Taliban could isolate Kabul within 30 days and possibly seize it within 90 days after their recent rapid gains.
