File image.
On August 12, the Taliban finally took over Herat, Afghanistan’s largest city, according to the France-Press Agency (AFP).
An unnamed Afghan security official told the agency that government forces and administration officials had retreated from the northwestern city.
Afghan sources shared on social media several videos showing Taliban fighters at the center of Herat and near the city’s main Police Headquarters. One of the videos shows dozens of prisoners who were released from Herat prison by Taliban fighters.
Herat city where the fighting has reached the center of the city. pic.twitter.com/aYxAwLjUT3
— BILAL SARWARY (@bsarwary) August 12, 2021
Taliban fighters outside of the police HQs . pic.twitter.com/qvdh2Gves4
— BILAL SARWARY (@bsarwary) August 12, 2021
After weeks of fighting Taliban managed to breach the security belt and got inside the center of city. Here Taliban outside of the police HQ in the heart of the city. pic.twitter.com/CPbbTCkBx7
— BILAL SARWARY (@bsarwary) August 12, 2021
Herat prison break. Attacking prisons at the heart of a Taliban military strategy of attacking major urban centers – populated cities across Afghanistan. pic.twitter.com/08gSJclhG0
— BILAL SARWARY (@bsarwary) August 12, 2021
Nearly a week ago, the Afghan army, security forces and popular resistance, led by former warlord “Lion of Herat” Mohammad Ismail Khan, repelled a large offensive by the Taliban on Herat. The group didn’t back down for too long, however.
The Taliban’s successful attack on Herat came a few hours after a similar push in the southeastern province of Ghazni. The group’s fighters captured the province’s capital, Ghazni city, which is located just 150 km away from Kabul.
Herat was the tenth provincial capital the Taliban have seized in a week. The group will likely develop its attacks even further in the upcoming few days. Afghan government forces appear to be hopeless without direct military support from the US.
