Illustrative image.
On August 13, the Taliban captured Pol-e Alam, the capital of the eastern Afghan province of Logar following heavy clashes with government forces.
Taliban fighters managed to storm the city despite fierce resistance from Afghan government forces. The governor, Abdul Quayom Rahimi, and other senior officials were captured by the Taliban. The officials were forced to surrender after being besieged in the governor’s compound for several hours.
Another clip from Logar from TB takeover. #Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/bAHEgvghUu
— FJ (@Natsecjeff) August 13, 2021
VIDEO via pro-TB outlet showing TB militants outside police HQ in Logar capital. #Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/nnA1J8QqZ1
— FJ (@Natsecjeff) August 13, 2021
The fall of Pol-e Alam, which is located some 80 km to the south of Kabul, was a major blow to Afghan government forces.
Meanwhile in Afghanistan’s southern region, the Taliban advanced further imposing control of Qalat-e Gilzay, the capital of Zabul province. Local sources said that the city fell into the hands of the group without a fight.
Multiple local sources + pro-TB sources reporting that Qalat city has fallen to the Taliban without a fight. #Zabul
VIDEO here from Qalat after TB militants entered the city earlier today:
— FJ (@Natsecjeff) August 13, 2021
Pol-e Alam and Qalat-e Gilzay were the sixth and seventh provincial capitals to be captured by the Taliban on August 13. One of the provincial capitals captured earlier on in the day was Kandahar, the second largest city in Afghanistan.
The Taliban’s rapid advance is worrying Kabul’s allies in the West. The UK government announced that it will send 600 troops to Afghanistan to evacuate British nationals. Earlier, the US decided to deploy 3,000 troops in the country to facilitate the drawdown of personnel at its embassy in Kabul.
With Afghan government forces on retreat in several parts of the country, the Taliban is posed to make even more gains in the upcoming few hours.
