BREAKING: Afghan officials, Taliban say militants seize Ghazni amid US pullout; insurgents now hold 10 of 34 provincial capitals.
The militants raised their white flags imprinted with a famous Islamic proclamation of faith over the city of Ghazni, just 130 kilometers southwest of Kabul. Sporadic fighting continued at an intelligence base and an army installation outside the city, two local officials told The Associated Press.
Kamrani alleged that Ghazni’s provincial governor and police chief made a deal with the Taliban to flee after their surrender. Taliban video and photos purported to show the governor’s convoy passing by Taliban fighters unstopped as part of the deal. The two officials could not be immediately reached for comment.
Niazi said she believed the Taliban attack killed and wounded security force members, but she had no casualty breakdown. Another suicide car bombing targeted the provincial prison, but the government still held it, she said. The Taliban’s other advances have seen the militants free hundreds of its members over the last week, bolstering their ranks while seizing American-supplied weapons and vehicles.
With the Afghan air power limited and in disarray, the U.S. Air Force is believed to be carrying out some series of strikes to support Afghan forces. Aviation tracking data suggested U.S. Air Force B-52 bombers, F-15 fighter jets, drones and other aircraft were involved in the fighting overnight across the country, according to Australia-based security firm The Cavell Group.
In Doha, U.S. envoy Zalmay Khalilzad has met with diplomats from China, Pakistan and Russia in an effort to as a group warn the Taliban they could again be considered international pariahs if they continue their offensive, State Department spokesman Ned Price said. Khalilzad also plans to meet with Afghan government and Taliban officials as the fighting goes on without a sign of it abating.
México Últimas Noticias, México Titulares
Similar News:También puedes leer noticias similares a ésta que hemos recopilado de otras fuentes de noticias.
Ghani replaces Afghan military chief mid-Taliban blitz on major citiesThe appointment of General Hibatullah Alizai to lead the Afghan armed forces comes at a crucial time as the insurgent group intensifies assault on provincial capitals.
Leer más »
Taliban complete northeast Afghan blitz as more cities fallAfghan officials say three more provincial capitals have fallen to the Taliban, putting nine out of the country’s 34 in the insurgents’ hands amid the U.S. withdrawal.
Leer más »
Factbox: Afghan cities taken over or contested by TalibanHere’s a list of provincial capitals in Afghanistan that have fallen to or are being contested by the Taliban Graphic: Taliban flashpoints in Afghanistan
Leer más »
Afghan officials: 3 more provincial capitals fall to TalibanKABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The Taliban seized three more provincial capitals in Afghanistan, officials said Wednesday, putting nine of the nation's 34 in the insurgents' hands amid the U.S. withdrawal from the country.
Leer más »
US keeping distance as Afghan forces face Taliban routWASHINGTON (AP) — Afghan government forces are collapsing even faster than U.S. military leaders thought possible just a few months ago when President Joe Biden ordered a full withdrawal. But there's little appetite at the White House, the Pentagon or among the American public for trying to stop the rout and it probably is too late to do so.
Leer más »
Taliban committed to Doha negotiations, Afghan government demands mediator -Al JazeeraA spokesman for the Taliban's political office told Al Jazeera TV on Tuesday that the group is committed to the negotiation path in Doha and does not want it to collapse.
Leer más »