Taliban special forces, Illustrative image.
On August 14, the city of Maymana, the capital of the northern Afghan province of Faryab, fell into the hands of the Taliban.
Taliban fighters stormed the city without facing much resistance from government forces. Afghan sources said that the group might have taken over the city after a deal with the local leadership. Similar surrender deals were reported in other provincial capitals in the past few days.
VIDEO via pro-TB channels from this evening in Maymana, Faryab when TB militants were rushing towards the city center. #Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/C2IVbjDvwc
— FJ (@Natsecjeff) August 14, 2021
Currently, 11 out of 15 districts in Faryab are under the control of the Taliban. The rest of the province will likely fall into the hands of the group in the upcoming few days.
A few hours after the fall of Maymana, Taliban fighters imposed control of Mazar-i-Sharif, the fourth largest city in Afghanistan and the capital of the northern province of Balkh. According to Afghan sources, government forces deserted the city.
NEW:
Mazar-i-Sharif city overrun by Taliban. Prisoners escaped from the prison. City deserted. ANDSF commander reportedly abandoned the security belt and the ANDSF defense line fell. Local sources report officials including Atta Nur fled towards airport. #Balkh pic.twitter.com/0VfiV3nQ1M
— FJ (@Natsecjeff) August 14, 2021
Another video purportedly showing Balkh officials and ANDSF troops fleeing from Mazar city center, possibly towards the airport. #Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/ZomJdGh0Ax
— FJ (@Natsecjeff) August 14, 2021
The Taliban is now advancing on two other fronts. The group’s attack on Maidan Shahr, the capital of the central province of Maidan Wardak, is still ongoing. The city is located less than 20 km to the southwest of the Afghan capital, Kabul.
And in the eastern region of Afghanistan, the Taliban kicked off an attack to capture Mitarlam, the capital of Laghman province. The group’s fighters have already overrun the city’s central prison.
Earlier, the Taliban captured Sharan, the capital of the eastern province of Paktika, and Asadabad, the capital of the capital of the northeastern province of Kunar.
Some of the booty captured by TB today in Sharana, Paktika following surrender of governor, police chief, several soldiers/policemen. #Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/2bEMUSOkIP
— FJ (@Natsecjeff) August 14, 2021
Afghan government forces appear to be on the brink of full collapse. Five out of the Afghan National Army’s seven Corps have been de-facto neutralized by the Taliban over the last few days. Currently, the group is in control of 22 out of 34 provincial capitals in Afghanistan.
A US official told the CNN that one intelligence assessment indicates that Kabul could be isolated by the Taliban within the week, possibly within the next 72 hours.
