The Taliban are pressing ahead with their advances in southern Afghanistan and have captured nine out of 10 districts of the Helmand provincial capitalKABUL, Afghanistan -- The Taliban pressed ahead with their advances in southern Afghanistan on Tuesday, capturing nine out of 10 districts of the Helmand provincial capital, residents and officials said. They said Taliban fighters were out openly in the streets, and that all but one Lashkar Gah district was under Taliban control. Lashkar Gah is one of three provincial capitals under siege by the Taliban as they stepped up their onslaught against government forces. In the last three days, the U.N. said 10 civilians have been killed in Lashkar Gah and 85 were wounded. When they last ruled Afghanistan, the Taliban were recognized by only three countries — Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Source: ABC News August 03, 2021 12:23 UTC