Taliban fighters appeared to be on the brink of overrunning the key Afghan provincial capital of Lashkar Gah, as officials confirmed all but one district of the city was under the hardline Islamists’ control and residents were ordered to evacuate. Gen Sami Sadat, an Afghan commander leading the military efforts in Helmand, told residents to flee. Lashkar Gah is one of three provincial capitals under siege by the Taliban as they stepped up their onslaught against government forces. Although most US and other foreign ground forces have withdrawn, the US has confirmed it has launched airstrikes to support the Afghan military. Residents in the western neighbourhood of Hawz e Karbas described Taliban fighters taking over civilian houses.

Source: The Guardian August 03, 2021 12:52 UTC