Topline
Taliban forces captured Mazar-e Sharif, the capital of north Afghanistan. This was a consolidation of its takeover of north Afghanistan.
After a huge explosion on the night prior, smoke rises from the scene of the attack near the Green... Village in Kabul on September 3, 2019. (Photo by WAKIL KOHSAR/AFP via Getty Images). AFP via Getty Images
The Key Facts
The biggest Taliban victory was Saturday's capture of Mazar-e-Sharif. This is Afghanistan's fourth-largest and most populous city, with an estimated population around 500,000. It also serves as the northernmost commercial hub of the country. After a fierce Taliban offensive, the Afghan government fell. Pro-government militias also surrendered soon afterwards. According to The Associated Press the Taliban now control essentially all northern Afghanistan.
Important Background
Recent advances by the Taliban include the seizing of a number of provincial capitals, including Kandahar (the second- and third largest cities in Afghanistan respectively) and Herat (the third). According to The Associated Press the Afghan government has only 12 of 34 provinces under its control. It also holds KabulAfghanistan’s capital, which is by far the largest city in Afghanistan. With militant forces moving towards it, it may not be there for very long. As the U.S. withdraws from its nearly 20-year-old-old fight against Islamic insurgents, the Taliban gains are occurring. The last U.S. troops will leave Afghanistan by August 31.
Tangent
Temporarily, the U.S. will increase its troop presence in Afghanistan by sending 3000 troops to Kabul to assist with the evacuation and relocation of some Afghans who were involved in the conflict with insurgents.
Continue reading
Taliban seize key northern city and approach Afghan capital (The Associated Press).
Afghan lawmaker claims that the Taliban have taken the capital of Laghman Province, northeast of Kabul. (The Associated Press).
The Taliban Could Retake Kabul in 20 Years, Almost exactly 20 Years after the U.S. They were driven out (Forbes).
U.S. Intelligence Warnings: Kabul Could Fall to The Taliban in 90 Days (Forbes).
