Afghanistan: Taliban announce capture of second largest city Kandahar

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Taliban fighters in Afghanistan (in Kunduz / archive image)

Photo: Abdullah Sahil / AP

After the withdrawal of western troops, the Taliban are taking city after city in Afghanistan at enormous speed.

According to their own statements, they have now succeeded in seizing control of the metropolis of Kandahar.

"Kandahar has been completely conquered," said a Taliban spokesman on Twitter on Friday.

A local resident told AFP news agency that the Afghan army had apparently withdrawn from the city.

Further details are not yet known.

The actions of the Islamists are being watched with concern abroad. The capital Kabul could soon come under their control. That is why the US Department of Defense has announced the immediate dispatch of around 3,000 soldiers to Kabul. They should help with the evacuation of US embassy workers, as Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said in Washington on Thursday. The third largest city, Herat, had previously fallen into the hands of the Islamists.

As a first step, three infantry units should be relocated to Kabul International Airport within 24 to 48 hours, the Pentagon spokesman said.

According to him, the 3,000 or so soldiers to be deployed will unite with the 650 or so US soldiers who are currently stationed in Afghanistan.

In addition, around 3,500 US soldiers would be sent to Kuwait.

According to Kirby, they should be available as a reserve in case the situation in Kabul worsens.

The Pentagon spokesman also assured that the US did not want to use the international airport for air strikes against the Taliban.

According to the State Department in Washington, the US embassy is to remain open, it is not about a complete evacuation.

Units also come from Great Britain

Great Britain also announced the sending of troops to Kabul. The approximately 600 soldiers were supposed to "support the diplomatic presence in Kabul, help British citizens leave the country and support the departure of former Afghan local staff who risked their lives while working on our side," said Defense Minister Ben Wallace on Thursday evening.

The radical Islamic Taliban have brought numerous regions and cities of Afghanistan under their control since the US and NATO allies began withdrawing in early May.

In the meantime, the Taliban are already targeting the capital Kabul.

The government forces have now lost control of most of the north and west of Afghanistan.

In addition to the capital, the government only controls a handful of areas and besieged cities.

jok / AFP