Taliban Threaten To Seize First Afghan Provincial Capital

CNN: Taliban threaten to seize first provincial capital as fighting intensifies across Afghanistan

(CNN)Heavy fighting between the Taliban and Afghan government forces has continued in the capital of Helmand province, Lashkar Gah. The Taliban now control several districts of the city, according to local journalists contacted by CNN.

The Afghan military reinforced its presence in the city on Saturday, bringing in special forces, according to a tweet from the 215 Corps, an army unit. It also carried out airstrikes against Taliban positions.

Lashkar Gah sits on strategic routes in all directions, including the highway between Kandahar and Herat and important agricultural areas to the south of the city. The Taliban has long had a strong presence in Helmand province, including around the capital, but has not occupied any part of the capital since being overthrown in 2001.

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WNU Editor: It is only a matter of time before one of these cities fall.

More News On The Afghan War

Afghan forces struggle against Taliban assaults on major cities -- France 24

Taliban continue to advance on major cities in Afghanistan, attack Kandahar airport -- NBC/Reuters

Taliban attack Afghan district capitals -- DW

Resurgent Taliban escalates nationwide offensive in Afghanistan -- The Guardian

Several rockets hit Afghanistan’s Kandahar airport amid ongoing Taliban assault -- RT

Taliban fighters strike airport in southern Afghanistan -- Washington Examiner

Taliban and Afghan forces clash again outside Herat city -- AFP

Watchdog Alarmed at ‘Mounting Taliban Revenge Killings’ -- VOA

Pak ‘jihadis’ join Taliban ranks, return as dead bodies -- Times of India