Taliban Boasts It's Already Taken 85% Of Afghanistan. Taliban Forces Have Now Entered Kandahar City

New York Times: Taliban Enter Kandahar City and Seize Border Posts

The insurgent assaulted a vital city in Afghanistan’s south on Friday, less than 24 hours after President Biden reaffirmed his decision to withdraw from the country.

KABUL, Afghanistan — Taliban forces on Friday penetrated Kandahar, Afghanistan’s second-largest city, in a new phase of a sweeping insurgent offensive that has captured territory across the country since May 1, when U.S. forces began withdrawing.

The insurgents had been encroaching on Kandahar city, the capital of the province of the same name, for several weeks, capturing surrounding districts, before entering the city for the first time Friday.

Taliban fighters entered Kandahar’s Seventh Police District Friday, seizing houses and engaging with security forces in the area, said Bahir Ahmadi, the spokesman for the Kandahar governor.

Commandos and other special forces units were battling the insurgents well into the evening, proceeding cautiously because the area is heavily populated, Mr. Ahmadi said.

The Afghan Air Force struck a number of Taliban positions in neighboring districts, as the insurgents attempted to push their way into the city.

The attack comes less than 24 hours after President Biden defended his decision to end American involvement in Afghanistan, asserting that the United States can no longer afford the human cost or strategic distraction of a 20-year conflict that he said had strayed far from its initial mission.

In a nod to the ongoing instability, Mr. Biden said the United States would remain engaged in diplomatic efforts and continue to support the Afghan government with money and supplies even after all U.S. troops withdraw.

The president also affirmed that he did not believe a Taliban takeover of the whole country was inevitable, calling the Afghan security forces “better trained, better equipped and more competent in terms of conducting war.”

Despite Mr. Biden’s affirmations, the Afghan security forces have struggled to defend themselves against the Taliban, who in the span of just over two months have managed to seize at least 150 of Afghanistan’s roughly 400 districts.

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WNU Editor: Afghan leaders are now admitting the obvious .... Afghanistan unprepared for Taliban onslaught, US ‘irresponsible,’ key warlord says (FOX News/AP). What is unfolding in Afghanistan reminds me of the rise of ISIS in 2014-2015 in Syria and Iraq. Even though ISIS was outnumbered by the Iraqi army, the Iraqi army disintegrated without firing a shot when ISIS launched their campaign. The same is happening in Afghanistan. Apparently the Afghan Army are abandoning military bases without even firing a shot.

More News On The Afghan War

Taliban seize key Kandahar district -- WION

Taliban makes gains in Afghanistan, taking over key border crossing to Iran -- CNN

Taliban say they now control 85% of Afghanistan's territory -- AP

Taliban claiming control over 85pc Afghan soil -- Khaama Press

Taliban Boasts It's Already Taken 85% Of Afghanistan Day After Biden Declared "US Objectives Achieved" -- Zero Hedge

Taliban says it controls '85 percent' of Afghanistan's territory -- France 24

Taliban claim to control most of Afghanistan -- National Interest

Reports: Taliban seize key Afghan border crossing with Iran - AP

Afghan troops tell of carrying wounded to Tajikistan after commanders fled -- AFP

Fighting The Taliban Was 'Suicide': Hundreds Of Afghan Soldiers Escape To Tajikistan -- RFE

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