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Watch out for the Taliban: A member of a militia is watching over part of the province of Balkh at an outpost.
Photo: FARSHAD USYAN / AFP
Shortly before the official completion of the withdrawal of international troops from Afghanistan, the militant Islamist Taliban control more than half of the country's districts again. The German press agency reports. Employees in Kabul interviewed provincial councils and local security experts in the 34 provinces of Afghanistan. Accordingly, the Islamists hold a slim majority of around 210 of the country's 400 or so district centers. Around 110 districts are under full government control. Another 80 or so are controversial, which means that both sides hold territories and attack each other.
When the international troops began to withdraw in early May, the Taliban launched several offensives and captured more than 150 new districts.
Geographically, they focused their offensive on the north.
It was there that the Taliban encountered the greatest opposition in the late 1990s.
Observers assume that this is to prevent the organization of an opposition precisely there.
In addition to districts, they also conquered other parts of important highways and several border crossings, including two of the three most important: Spin Boldak to Pakistan and Islam Kala to Iran.
In doing so, they also weaken the government in Kabul financially, as the large customs revenues are lost.
According to US President Joe Biden, the US mission in Afghanistan ends on August 31.
NATO has not yet officially communicated the end of the military operation, but the operation has de facto ended.
According to dpa information, the soldiers currently stationed in the country from countries such as the USA and Turkey are now completely under the leadership of the national chains of command.
Löw / dpa