File image.
On July 9, Taliban fighters launched a large-scale offensive on the southern city of Kandahar, the second largest urban center in Afghanistan after the capital Kabul.
Abdul Salam, an Afghan military commander, told the Xinhua News Agency that Taliban fighters attacked a number of checkpoints in Chulzina, a suburban of Police District 7 in Kandahar. The attack was, however, repelled.
From its side, the Taliban claimed that its fighters had seized three checkpoints in Police District 7 and captured dozens of government service members.
The Taliban say they have taken three checkpoints and dozens of prisoners in the 7th administrative region of Kandahar. In short, fighting on the outskirts. pic.twitter.com/yE1alED8gM
— Arab News Today (@ArabNewsToday) July 9, 2021
Three ANDSF Humvees destroyed during clashes with the Taliban in the Kandahar city this afternoon.#Afghanistan #Iran #kabul #Taliban #USA #Pakistan pic.twitter.com/XbH1eKFXuD
— world peace and conflicts center (@WorldBreakingN9) July 9, 2021
طالبان د کندهار ښار د چهل زینو سیمي ته رسیدلي تر څو کندهار زندان مات کړي ..
ملګرو دعاوي کوي. pic.twitter.com/u6sSAnDiDH— Mokhtar Khalil مختار خليل (@MokhtarKhalil_) July 9, 2021
According to Afghan sources, Taliban fighters are now situated 5 km to the west of Kandahar. The city is the former political capital of the Taliban, and the home of the Pashtuns, Pakhtuns and Pathans tribes.
Afghan government forces have been working tirelessly to stop the Taliban advance on several frontlines throughout the country. A day earlier, the group was expelled from Qala-e-Naw city, the capital of the northwestern province of Badghis.
Despite facing some setbacks, the Taliban is gaining ground on all fronts. Recently, the group’s fighters captured the Islam Qala border crossing with Iran in the western province of Herat.
The Taliban claims that its fighters have captured more than 170 districts in Afghanistan since May 1, when the US announced a plan to pull its troops out from the country before September 11.
