The Taliban has captured 15 provinces of Taliban in their violent push for power. Kabul and pockets of other territories left in government’s control. Watch this report to know more.

Afghanistan Turmoil: Taliban takes over Pol-E-Alam, Lashkar Gah

Local reports of Afghanistan indicates that Taliban has now claimed Logar province and this terror group now have 15 provinces in their control.

Taliban: Provincial capital of Logar under Control

The Taliban claimed to have seized Herat, Afghanistan's third-largest city. The seizure happened Thursday night, putting the insurgents in control of 11 of Afghanistan’s 34 provincial capitals.

Afghanistan: Taliban takes 11th provincial capital as Herat fall, frees all prisoners

Taliban has seized a helicopter gifted by India to Afghanistan. 9 provincial capitals have now fallen to the Taliban. A US estimate says Kabul could fall within 90 days. But, the US & its allies are washing their hands off Afghanistan's problems. Palki Sharma has more.

Gravitas: Taliban seizes attack helicopter donated by India to Afghanistan

The Taliban took over Herat, Afghanistan's third-largest city, on Thursday and also seized another key district capital just 150 kilometres (95 miles) from Kabul.

A senior security source from Herat told AFP that government forces and administration officials had retreated to an army barracks outside the city.

"We had to leave the city in order to prevent further destruction," he said.

A Taliban spokesman, however, tweeted "soldiers laid down their arms and joined the Mujahideen".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/trump-blames-biden-for-unacceptable-taliban-surge-in-afghanistan-404985" hreflang="en">Trump blames Biden for 'unacceptable' Taliban surge in Afghanistan</a>

An AFP correspondent had earlier filmed the Taliban flag flying over the police headquarters in Herat, while the insurgents tweeted "the enemy fled... Dozens of military vehicles, weapons and ammunition fell into the hands of the Mujahideen".

Further details of the Taliban's presence in the city were not immediately available, but it has been under siege for weeks.

Herat -- about 150 kilometres from the Iranian border -- is home to veteran warlord Ismail Khan, who for weeks has been rallying his forces to make a stand against the Taliban.

Earlier, the interior ministry confirmed the fall of Ghazni, which lies along the major Kabul-Kandahar highway and serves as a gateway between the capital and militant strongholds in the south.

"The enemy took control," spokesman Mirwais Stanikzai said in a message to media, adding later the city's governor had been arrested by Afghan security forces.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/ghani-government-replaces-army-chief-as-talibans-surge-continues-404893" hreflang="en">Ghani government replaces army chief as Taliban's surge continues</a>

Pro-Taliban Twitter feeds showed a video of him being escorted out of Ghazni by Taliban fighters and sent on his way in a convoy, prompting speculation in the capital that the government was angered with how easily the provincial administration capitulated.

As security forces retreated across the country, Kabul handed a proposal to Taliban negotiators in Qatar offering a power-sharing deal in return for an end to the fighting, according to a member of the government's team in Doha who asked not to be named.

A second negotiator, Ghulam Farooq Majroh, said the Taliban had been given an offer about a "government of peace" without providing more specifics.

Authorities in Kabul have now effectively lost most of northern and western Afghanistan and are left holding a scattered archipelago of contested cities also dangerously at risk.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/young-afghan-general-takes-fight-against-taliban-to-social-media-404880" hreflang="en">Young Afghan general takes fight against Taliban to social media</a>

'No leverage'

The conflict has escalated dramatically since May, when US-led forces began the final stage of a troop withdrawal due to end later this month following a 20-year occupation.

The loss of Ghazni piles more pressure on the country's already overstretched airforce, needed to bolster Afghanistan's dispersed security forces who have increasingly been cut off from reinforcements by road.

Pro-Taliban social media accounts also boasted of the vast spoils of war their fighters had recovered in recent days, posting photos of armoured vehicles, heavy weapons, and even a drone seized by the insurgents at abandoned Afghan military bases.

In less than a week the insurgents have taken 10 provincial capitals and encircled the biggest city in the north, the traditional anti-Taliban bastion of Mazar-i-Sharif.

Fighting was also raging in Kandahar and Lashkar Gah -- pro-Taliban heartlands in the south.

An official in Lashkar Gah said Taliban fighters were inching closer to government positions after a massive car bomb badly damaged the city's police headquarters Wednesday evening.&nbsp;

Prison raids

The blast forced local police to retreat to the governor's office, while around 40 of their colleagues and one senior commander surrendered to the Taliban.

And in Kandahar, the Taliban said they had overrun the heavily fortified jail, saying "hundreds of prisoners were released and taken to safety".

The Taliban frequently target prisons to release incarcerated fighters and replenish their ranks.

The loss of the prison is a further ominous sign for the country's second city, which has been besieged for weeks by the Taliban.&nbsp;

Kandahar was once the stronghold of the Taliban -- whose forces coalesced in the eponymously named province in the early 1990s -- and its capture would serve as both a tactical and psychological victory for the militants.

Hundreds of thousands have been displaced by the fighting that has enveloped the country.

In recent days, Kabul has been swamped by the displaced, who have begun camping out in parks and other public spaces, sparking a fresh humanitarian crisis in the already overtaxed capital. &nbsp; &nbsp;

In Washington, defence officials appeared to be grappling with the spiralling situation but insisted that Afghan security forces were still holding their ground.

"What we're seeing, a deteriorating security situation, we've been nothing but candid about that," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told reporters Wednesday. &nbsp;

"But there are places and there are times, including today, where Afghan forces in the field are putting up a fight."

The Taliban took over Herat, Afghanistan's third-largest city, on Thursday and also seized another key district capital just 150 kilometres (95 miles) from Kabul.

The Taliban took over Herat, Afghanistan's third-largest city, on Thursday and also seized another key district capital just 150 kilometres (95 miles) from Kabul. A senior security source from Herat told AFP that government forces and administration officials had retreated to an army barracks outside the city. "We had to leave the city in order to prevent further destruction," he said. A Taliban spokesman, however, tweeted "soldiers laid down their arms and joined the Mujahideen". Also read | Trump blames Biden for 'unacceptable' Taliban surge in Afghanistan An AFP correspondent had earlier filmed the Taliban flag flying over the police headquarters in Herat, while the insurgents tweeted "the enemy fled... Dozens of military vehicles, weapons and ammunition fell into the hands of the Mujahideen". Further details of the Taliban's presence in the city were not immediately available, but it has been under siege for weeks. Herat -- about 150 kilometres from the Iranian border -- is home to veteran warlord Ismail Khan, who for weeks has been rallying his forces to make a stand against the Taliban. Earlier, the interior ministry confirmed the fall of Ghazni, which lies along the major Kabul-Kandahar highway and serves as a gateway between the capital and militant strongholds in the south. "The enemy took control," spokesman Mirwais Stanikzai said in a message to media, adding later the city's governor had been arrested by Afghan security forces. Also read | Ghani government replaces army chief as Taliban's surge continues Pro-Taliban Twitter feeds showed a video of him being escorted out of Ghazni by Taliban fighters and sent on his way in a convoy, prompting speculation in the capital that the government was angered with how easily the provincial administration capitulated. As security forces retreated across the country, Kabul handed a proposal to Taliban negotiators in Qatar offering a power-sharing deal in return for an end to the fighting, according to a member of the government's team in Doha who asked not to be named. A second negotiator, Ghulam Farooq Majroh, said the Taliban had been given an offer about a "government of peace" without providing more specifics. Authorities in Kabul have now effectively lost most of northern and western Afghanistan and are left holding a scattered archipelago of contested cities also dangerously at risk. Also read | Young Afghan general takes fight against Taliban to social media 'No leverage' The conflict has escalated dramatically since May, when US-led forces began the final stage of a troop withdrawal due to end later this month following a 20-year occupation. The loss of Ghazni piles more pressure on the country's already overstretched airforce, needed to bolster Afghanistan's dispersed security forces who have increasingly been cut off from reinforcements by road. Pro-Taliban social media accounts also boasted of the vast spoils of war their fighters had recovered in recent days, posting photos of armoured vehicles, heavy weapons, and even a drone seized by the insurgents at abandoned Afghan military bases. In less than a week the insurgents have taken 10 provincial capitals and encircled the biggest city in the north, the traditional anti-Taliban bastion of Mazar-i-Sharif. Fighting was also raging in Kandahar and Lashkar Gah -- pro-Taliban heartlands in the south. An official in Lashkar Gah said Taliban fighters were inching closer to government positions after a massive car bomb badly damaged the city's police headquarters Wednesday evening. Prison raids The blast forced local police to retreat to the governor's office, while around 40 of their colleagues and one senior commander surrendered to the Taliban. And in Kandahar, the Taliban said they had overrun the heavily fortified jail, saying "hundreds of prisoners were released and taken to safety". The Taliban frequently target prisons to release incarcerated fighters and replenish their ranks. The loss of the prison is a further ominous sign for the country's second city, which has been besieged for weeks by the Taliban. Kandahar was once the stronghold of the Taliban -- whose forces coalesced in the eponymously named province in the early 1990s -- and its capture would serve as both a tactical and psychological victory for the militants. Hundreds of thousands have been displaced by the fighting that has enveloped the country. In recent days, Kabul has been swamped by the displaced, who have begun camping out in parks and other public spaces, sparking a fresh humanitarian crisis in the already overtaxed capital. In Washington, defence officials appeared to be grappling with the spiralling situation but insisted that Afghan security forces were still holding their ground. "What we're seeing, a deteriorating security situation, we've been nothing but candid about that," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told reporters Wednesday. "But there are places and there are times, including today, where Afghan forces in the field are putting up a fight."

Taliban take Herat as Afghan forces retreat; insurgents capture gateway Ghazni

Taliban fighters captured the strategic Afghan city of Ghazni on Thursday following fierce fighting with Afghan security forces.

City of Ghazni falls to Taliban after fierce clashes with Afghan security forces

25-year-old Khalid Noor, is the youngest member of the Afghan negotiating team. He spoke exclusively to our principal diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal. Khalid said that India plays a huge role in the peace process, and that he expects India to stand with the Afghan people.

'Pakistan has a huge role in the Afghan peace process', says Khalid Noor

Taliban continues to make advances in Afghanistan. In the latest update, it captured the provincial capital of Ghazni. Taliban has captured a total of 10 provinces.

Taliban captures 10th provincial capital of Ghazni

Former president Donald Trump blasted his successor Joe Biden on Thursday for putting no conditions on the US withdrawal from Afghanistan and said that a violent Taliban surge in the war-torn country was "not acceptable."

Trump said the US pullout, which Biden has set for August 31 and which is already all but complete, would have been "a much different and much more successful withdrawal" if he were still president.

It was under Trump that the US brokered a deal with the Taliban in Doha in 2020 that would have seen the US withdraw all its troops by May 2021 in exchange for various security guarantees from the militants.

When Biden took power earlier this year, he pushed back the deadline for the withdrawal and set no conditions for it.&nbsp;

"If I were now president, the world would find that our withdrawal from Afghanistan would be a conditions-based withdrawal," Trump claimed in a statement.

"I personally had discussions with top Taliban leaders whereby they understood what they are doing now would not have been acceptable," he said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/snubbed-khan-rues-pak-good-for-us-only-to-clean-up-afghan-mess-india-a-strategic-ally-404898">Also read |&nbsp;Snubbed Khan rues Pak good for US only to clean up Afghan mess, India a strategic ally</a>

"It would have been a much different and much more successful withdrawal, and the Taliban understood that better than anyone," he said.

Trump, who despite his election loss remains the biggest single force in the opposition Republican party, did not provide any details of what he would have done to halt the advances of the insurgents.

Authorities in Kabul have now effectively lost most of northern and western Afghanistan and are left holding a scattered archipelago of contested cities also dangerously at risk.

Some US officials fear the Taliban could take over Kabul within three months of the August 31 deadline.

The United States signed the agreement with the Taliban in Doha on February 29, 2020, committing to a pullout of US and NATO troops by May 1, 2021 in exchange for security guarantees.

They included a promise by the militants to hold peace talks with the government in Kabul, to not attack the US or its interests, and to not support groups like Al-Qaeda in attacking the United States.

In the wake of the agreement the Trump administration sharply cut the number of US forces inside Afghanistan and remained committed to the May 1 deadline, even as the Taliban accelerated its offensive against government security forces following the Doha deal.

Trump's troop reductions continued after he lost the November election to leave the number at 2,500, along with some 16,000 civilian contractors, still in Afghanistan when Biden took office on January 20.

Biden paused further withdrawal for a review of policy, and in April announced that the pullout would go ahead, pushing the deadline back initially to September 11, 2021, before moving it up again to August 31.&nbsp;

Former president Donald Trump blasted his successor Joe Biden on Thursday for putting no conditions on the US withdrawal from Afghanistan and said that a violent Taliban surge in the war-torn country was "not acceptable.

Former president Donald Trump blasted his successor Joe Biden on Thursday for putting no conditions on the US withdrawal from Afghanistan and said that a violent Taliban surge in the war-torn country was "not acceptable." Trump said the US pullout, which Biden has set for August 31 and which is already all but complete, would have been "a much different and much more successful withdrawal" if he were still president. It was under Trump that the US brokered a deal with the Taliban in Doha in 2020 that would have seen the US withdraw all its troops by May 2021 in exchange for various security guarantees from the militants. When Biden took power earlier this year, he pushed back the deadline for the withdrawal and set no conditions for it. "If I were now president, the world would find that our withdrawal from Afghanistan would be a conditions-based withdrawal," Trump claimed in a statement. "I personally had discussions with top Taliban leaders whereby they understood what they are doing now would not have been acceptable," he said. Also read | Snubbed Khan rues Pak good for US only to clean up Afghan mess, India a strategic ally "It would have been a much different and much more successful withdrawal, and the Taliban understood that better than anyone," he said. Trump, who despite his election loss remains the biggest single force in the opposition Republican party, did not provide any details of what he would have done to halt the advances of the insurgents. Authorities in Kabul have now effectively lost most of northern and western Afghanistan and are left holding a scattered archipelago of contested cities also dangerously at risk. Some US officials fear the Taliban could take over Kabul within three months of the August 31 deadline. The United States signed the agreement with the Taliban in Doha on February 29, 2020, committing to a pullout of US and NATO troops by May 1, 2021 in exchange for security guarantees. They included a promise by the militants to hold peace talks with the government in Kabul, to not attack the US or its interests, and to not support groups like Al-Qaeda in attacking the United States. In the wake of the agreement the Trump administration sharply cut the number of US forces inside Afghanistan and remained committed to the May 1 deadline, even as the Taliban accelerated its offensive against government security forces following the Doha deal. Trump's troop reductions continued after he lost the November election to leave the number at 2,500, along with some 16,000 civilian contractors, still in Afghanistan when Biden took office on January 20. Biden paused further withdrawal for a review of policy, and in April announced that the pullout would go ahead, pushing the deadline back initially to September 11, 2021, before moving it up again to August 31.

Trump blames Biden for 'unacceptable' Taliban surge in Afghanistan

Germany&nbsp;and the Netherlands said Wednesday they have stopped forced repatriations of Afghan migrants because of deteriorating security in&nbsp;Afghanistan, as the Taliban pressed on with its rapid advance in the country's north.

"Due to current developments in the security situation, the interior minister has decided to suspend deportations to&nbsp;Afghanistan&nbsp;for the time being,"&nbsp;Germany's interior ministry spokesman Steve Alter wrote on Twitter.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/could-the-taliban-take-over-afghanistan-heres-what-we-know-404730" hreflang="en">Could the Taliban take over Afghanistan? Here’s what we know</a>

Separately in The Hague, Dutch State Secretary for Justice and Security Ankie Broekers-Knol announced a "moratorium on (deportation) decisions and departures."

The halt "will apply for six months and will apply to foreign nationals of Afghan nationality," she wrote in a letter to the Dutch parliament.

Wednesday's move by the Germans and Dutch marked a sharp U-turn from their previous position.

Officials had said as late as Tuesday that both governments had joined their counterparts in Austria, Belgium, Denmark and Greece to write to the EU's executive arm saying they should be allowed to press on with expulsions of Afghan migrants if their asylum bids fail.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-wants-afghanistans-neighbours-not-to-recognise-govt-imposed-by-force-as-taliban-capture-9th-provincial-capital-404659" hreflang="en">US wants Afghanistan's neighbours not to recognise govt imposed by force as Taliban capture 9th provincial capital</a>

Afghanistan&nbsp;urged the EU in July to cease forced deportations of Afghan migrants for three months as security forces battle the Taliban offensive ahead of the full US military pullout from&nbsp;Afghanistan&nbsp;on August 31.

"We are now complying with this request, which I consider to be the right thing to do,"&nbsp;Germany's foreign minister Heiko Maas said of Kabul's call.

As a deportation flight had to be stopped in recent days because of fighting in Kabul close to the airport, Maas said a decision had to be quickly made on whether to resume the flight.

Austria maintains expulsions&nbsp;

Neighbouring Austria however said it would press on with expulsions to&nbsp;Afghanistan.&nbsp;

"Austria is keeping to its plans for deportations. A de facto suspension of deportations is currently not up for discussion," a spokesman for the interior ministry told AFP.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-capture-another-provincial-capital-several-afghan-soldiers-surrender-near-kunduz-404619" hreflang="en">Taliban capture another provincial capital, several Afghan soldiers surrender near Kunduz</a>

The Taliban have in recent days made huge advances in the north, capturing territory including provincial capital Kunduz -- where German soldiers had been deployed for a decade until the end of June.

German Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer had voiced disappointment at the developments.

"The reports from Kunduz and from all over&nbsp;Afghanistan&nbsp;are bitter and hurt a lot," she wrote on Twitter on Monday.

Northern&nbsp;Afghanistan&nbsp;has long been considered an anti-Taliban stronghold that saw some of the stiffest resistance to militant rule in the 1990s.&nbsp;

Germany and the Netherlands said Wednesday they have stopped forced repatriations of Afghan migrants because of deteriorating security in Afghanistan, as the Taliban pressed on with its rapid advance in the country's north.

Germany and the Netherlands said Wednesday they have stopped forced repatriations of Afghan migrants because of deteriorating security in Afghanistan, as the Taliban pressed on with its rapid advance in the country's north. "Due to current developments in the security situation, the interior minister has decided to suspend deportations to Afghanistan for the time being," Germany's interior ministry spokesman Steve Alter wrote on Twitter. Also read | Could the Taliban take over Afghanistan? Here’s what we know Separately in The Hague, Dutch State Secretary for Justice and Security Ankie Broekers-Knol announced a "moratorium on (deportation) decisions and departures." The halt "will apply for six months and will apply to foreign nationals of Afghan nationality," she wrote in a letter to the Dutch parliament. Wednesday's move by the Germans and Dutch marked a sharp U-turn from their previous position. Officials had said as late as Tuesday that both governments had joined their counterparts in Austria, Belgium, Denmark and Greece to write to the EU's executive arm saying they should be allowed to press on with expulsions of Afghan migrants if their asylum bids fail. Also read | US wants Afghanistan's neighbours not to recognise govt imposed by force as Taliban capture 9th provincial capital Afghanistan urged the EU in July to cease forced deportations of Afghan migrants for three months as security forces battle the Taliban offensive ahead of the full US military pullout from Afghanistan on August 31. "We are now complying with this request, which I consider to be the right thing to do," Germany's foreign minister Heiko Maas said of Kabul's call. As a deportation flight had to be stopped in recent days because of fighting in Kabul close to the airport, Maas said a decision had to be quickly made on whether to resume the flight. Austria maintains expulsions Neighbouring Austria however said it would press on with expulsions to Afghanistan. "Austria is keeping to its plans for deportations. A de facto suspension of deportations is currently not up for discussion," a spokesman for the interior ministry told AFP. Also read | Taliban capture another provincial capital, several Afghan soldiers surrender near Kunduz The Taliban have in recent days made huge advances in the north, capturing territory including provincial capital Kunduz -- where German soldiers had been deployed for a decade until the end of June. German Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer had voiced disappointment at the developments. "The reports from Kunduz and from all over Afghanistan are bitter and hurt a lot," she wrote on Twitter on Monday. Northern Afghanistan has long been considered an anti-Taliban stronghold that saw some of the stiffest resistance to militant rule in the 1990s.

Germany, Netherlands halt migrant expulsions to Afghanistan

“Physically I am fine now but mentally I need more time because still I wake up suddenly two to three times every night and it seems that I am still lying in the same place where this incident happened,” says Alikhil.

'I was tortured physically and psychologically', says Silsila Alikhil

Taliban forces now control 65% of Afghanistan and have taken or threaten to take 11 provincial capitals, a senior EU official said on Tuesday.

Taliban could take Kabul in 90 days: US intelligence

According to reports, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/erdogan-ready-to-receive-taliban-leader-as-us-backs-afghan-forces-404762">Taliban</a> have taken key areas in Ghazni city located just 150 kilometres from capital Kabul.

Ghazni located on the&nbsp;Kabul-Kandahar highway has now become the 10th provincial capital to fall in a few days as the Taliban continue its offensive.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/taliban-could-take-kabul-in-90-days-us-intelligence-404765/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The Taliban stepped up their offensive in mid-May as the US troops began pulling out of Afghanistan even as the US State Department on Wednesday said the militant group was seeking "battlefield victory."

Reports say US defence officials believe the Taliban are seeking to isolate regions around Kabul and may take it over the next 90 days as the Afghan army suffers reserves across the country.

Amid the large scale fighting,&nbsp;US Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad and officials from China, Russia and other countries met in Doha with Taliban and Afghan government negotiators to ensure a ceasefire but it has failed to materialise so far.

State Department spokesman Ned Price said the Taliban has violated "the letter and the spirit" of the US-Taliban deal.

"Attacking provincial capitals and targeting civilians is inconsistent with the spirit of the agreement," Price said.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani visited Mazar-i-Sharif as the Taliban said its forces were targeting the city amid reports of mass surrender of Afghan soldiers in Kunduz.

Heavy fighting is also underway in Kandahar, Helmand and Herat between Afghan forces and the Taliban with just days left for American troops to leave the country after President Biden declared US troops will pull out by August 31.&nbsp;

(With inputs from Agencies) 
&nbsp;

According to reports, the Taliban have taken key areas in Ghazni city located just 150 kilometres from capital Kabul. Ghazni located on the Kabul-Kandahar highway has now become the 10th provincial capital to fall in a few days as the Taliban continue its offensive.

According to reports, the Taliban have taken key areas in Ghazni city located just 150 kilometres from capital Kabul. Ghazni located on the Kabul-Kandahar highway has now become the 10th provincial capital to fall in a few days as the Taliban continue its offensive. Watch: The Taliban stepped up their offensive in mid-May as the US troops began pulling out of Afghanistan even as the US State Department on Wednesday said the militant group was seeking "battlefield victory." Reports say US defence officials believe the Taliban are seeking to isolate regions around Kabul and may take it over the next 90 days as the Afghan army suffers reserves across the country. Amid the large scale fighting, US Special Representative Zalmay Khalilzad and officials from China, Russia and other countries met in Doha with Taliban and Afghan government negotiators to ensure a ceasefire but it has failed to materialise so far. State Department spokesman Ned Price said the Taliban has violated "the letter and the spirit" of the US-Taliban deal. "Attacking provincial capitals and targeting civilians is inconsistent with the spirit of the agreement," Price said. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani visited Mazar-i-Sharif as the Taliban said its forces were targeting the city amid reports of mass surrender of Afghan soldiers in Kunduz. Heavy fighting is also underway in Kandahar, Helmand and Herat between Afghan forces and the Taliban with just days left for American troops to leave the country after President Biden declared US troops will pull out by August 31. (With inputs from Agencies)

Another Afghan provincial capital falls: Taliban seize Ghazni near Kabul

As the Taliban continues to make inroads seizing provincial capitals, Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he could meet with the militant group in order to ensure peace in Afghanistan.

On Wednesday, Taliban swept the ninth provincial capital as Afghan troops continued to be pushed back from key areas in the country.

"Maybe I will even be in a position to receive the person who is their leader," Erodgan said in an interview. Turkey had earlier expressed its intention to provide security to the Kabul airport which was resisted by the Taliban.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-taliban-seizes-attack-helicopter-donated-by-india-to-afghanistan-404743/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Meanwhile, US Defense Department spokesman John Kirby backing the Afghan forces, said: "The Afghan forces have the capability, they have the capacity, they have a numerical advantage, they have an Air Force."&nbsp;

"It's really going to come down to the leadership and the will to use those capabilities," Kirby added.

State Department spokesman Ned Price added that the Afghan government has "tremendous leverage" informing that it had "300,000 troops, an Air Force, special forces, heavy equipment, training and support from the United States."

Taliban has stepped its offensive in the last two months after launching a major attack in mid-May as US troops have pulled out of the region. President Joe Biden had announced US troops will be out of Afghanistan by August 31 with the deadline now just days away.

In mid-May, the US forces had withdrawn to Kandahar as the Taliban began annexing rural areas in the north and south while advancing rapidly across the country.

In June, the militant group captured a key border crossing in Tajikistan including districts leading to Kunduz.

Last month, the Taliban captured Afghanistan's biggest border crossing with Iran, Islam Qala and a few days later Spin Boldak border crossing with Pakistan was overrun by the militant group.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani is set to arrive in Mazar-e-Sharif as the Taliban forces have begun a major offensive to capture the city even as hundreds of Afghan soldiers reportedly surrendered in Kunduz which was captured by the Taliban earlier.

(With inputs from Agencies)

As the Taliban continues to make inroads seizing provincial capitals, Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he could meet with the militant group in order to ensure peace in Afghanistan.

As the Taliban continues to make inroads seizing provincial capitals, Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he could meet with the militant group in order to ensure peace in Afghanistan. On Wednesday, Taliban swept the ninth provincial capital as Afghan troops continued to be pushed back from key areas in the country. "Maybe I will even be in a position to receive the person who is their leader," Erodgan said in an interview. Turkey had earlier expressed its intention to provide security to the Kabul airport which was resisted by the Taliban. Watch: Meanwhile, US Defense Department spokesman John Kirby backing the Afghan forces, said: "The Afghan forces have the capability, they have the capacity, they have a numerical advantage, they have an Air Force." "It's really going to come down to the leadership and the will to use those capabilities," Kirby added. State Department spokesman Ned Price added that the Afghan government has "tremendous leverage" informing that it had "300,000 troops, an Air Force, special forces, heavy equipment, training and support from the United States." Taliban has stepped its offensive in the last two months after launching a major attack in mid-May as US troops have pulled out of the region. President Joe Biden had announced US troops will be out of Afghanistan by August 31 with the deadline now just days away. In mid-May, the US forces had withdrawn to Kandahar as the Taliban began annexing rural areas in the north and south while advancing rapidly across the country. In June, the militant group captured a key border crossing in Tajikistan including districts leading to Kunduz. Last month, the Taliban captured Afghanistan's biggest border crossing with Iran, Islam Qala and a few days later Spin Boldak border crossing with Pakistan was overrun by the militant group. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani is set to arrive in Mazar-e-Sharif as the Taliban forces have begun a major offensive to capture the city even as hundreds of Afghan soldiers reportedly surrendered in Kunduz which was captured by the Taliban earlier. (With inputs from Agencies)

Erdogan ready to 'receive' Taliban leader as US backs Afghan forces

As the Taliban continued to surge across <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/another-provincial-capital-falls-taliban-seizes-ghazni-near-kabul-404819">Afghanistan</a>, Ashraf Ghani's government replaced Afghan Army Chief&nbsp; General Wali Mohammad Ahmadzai with General Haibatullah Alizai.

The Taliban offensive has escalated as it has begun annexing provincial capitals. German foreign minister Heiko Maas said the country will not give "another cent" to Afghanistan if the "Taliban take complete control, introduce Sharia law and turn it into a caliphate."

Germany is one of the biggest donor nations to Afghanistan as it sends $504 million to the country. On Thursday, the Taliban seized Ghazni city just 150 kilometres from Kabul as the tenth provincial capital fell to the militant group.

Watch:

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Germany had deployed troops in Afghanistan as part of NATO's mission but it had to pull out as President Biden decided US troops should leave the country.

President Biden had said the US has spent over $1 trillion in the last 20 years on Afghanistan and equipped 300,000 Afghan forces.

"Afghan leaders have to come together, they've got to fight for themselves, fight for their nation," the Biden had said as US troops prepare to pull out of the country by August 31.

Defense Department spokesman John Kirby reiterated the Biden administration's view saying that the Afghan forces have a "numerical advantage" and have an Air Force.

US State Department spokesman Ned Price said the Afghan government has "tremendous leverage" and US support, however, on the ground&nbsp;the Taliban has kept up its strategic assault.

After sweeping rural Afghanistan and strategic border crossing along Pakistan, Tajikistan and Iran, the Taliban said its forces had moved to Mazar-e-Sharif as President Ghani arrived in the city to boost the morale of his troops.

Heavy fighting is also underway in Herat, Kandahar and Helmand province as the Taliban continues its offensive across Afghanistan.

(With inputs from Agencies)

&nbsp;

As the Taliban continued to surge across Afghanistan, Ashraf Ghani's government replaced Afghan Army Chief General Wali Mohammad Ahmadzai with General Haibatullah Alizai.

As the Taliban continued to surge across Afghanistan, Ashraf Ghani's government replaced Afghan Army Chief General Wali Mohammad Ahmadzai with General Haibatullah Alizai. The Taliban offensive has escalated as it has begun annexing provincial capitals. German foreign minister Heiko Maas said the country will not give "another cent" to Afghanistan if the "Taliban take complete control, introduce Sharia law and turn it into a caliphate." Germany is one of the biggest donor nations to Afghanistan as it sends $504 million to the country. On Thursday, the Taliban seized Ghazni city just 150 kilometres from Kabul as the tenth provincial capital fell to the militant group. Watch: Germany had deployed troops in Afghanistan as part of NATO's mission but it had to pull out as President Biden decided US troops should leave the country. President Biden had said the US has spent over $1 trillion in the last 20 years on Afghanistan and equipped 300,000 Afghan forces. "Afghan leaders have to come together, they've got to fight for themselves, fight for their nation," the Biden had said as US troops prepare to pull out of the country by August 31. Defense Department spokesman John Kirby reiterated the Biden administration's view saying that the Afghan forces have a "numerical advantage" and have an Air Force. US State Department spokesman Ned Price said the Afghan government has "tremendous leverage" and US support, however, on the ground the Taliban has kept up its strategic assault. After sweeping rural Afghanistan and strategic border crossing along Pakistan, Tajikistan and Iran, the Taliban said its forces had moved to Mazar-e-Sharif as President Ghani arrived in the city to boost the morale of his troops. Heavy fighting is also underway in Herat, Kandahar and Helmand province as the Taliban continues its offensive across Afghanistan. (With inputs from Agencies)

Ghani government replaces army chief as Taliban's surge continues

The Taliban have taken the strategic Afghan city of Ghazni just 150 kilometres (95 miles) from Kabul. The city lies along the major Kabul-Kandahar highway. It is the 10th provincial city to fall to the Taliban.

Taliban captures 10th provincial city of Ghazni

Ghazni is situated along the major Kabul-Kandahar highway, essentially serving as an important gateway in Afghanistan between the capital city of Kabul and other Taliban strongholds in the south.

Taliban advances key Afghan city of Ghazni

In Afghanistan, the Taliban is rapidly expanding its power.&nbsp;After a blitz through the north that drove tens of thousands of civilians to abandon their homes for the relative safety of Kabul and other towns, the Taliban took control of six Afghan provincial capitals on Tuesday. 
 
Rashid Khan, the famous Afghanistan cricketer, turned to Twitter to plead to "global leaders" to help bring peace to the country.

"Dear World Leaders! My country is in chaos, thousand of innocent people, including children &amp; women, get martyred every day, houses &amp; properties being destructed. A thousand families displaced..Don’t leave us in chaos. Stop killing Afghans &amp; destroying Afghanistan (sic). We want peace," tweeted Rashid Khan.

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<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Dear World Leaders! My country is in chaos,thousand of innocent people, including children &amp; women, get martyred everyday, houses &amp; properties being destructed.Thousand families displaced.. 
Don’t leave us in chaos. Stop killing Afghans &amp; destroying Afghaniatan🇦🇫. 
We want peace.🙏
— Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) <a href="https://twitter.com/rashidkhan_19/status/1425057234300641317?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Since May, when the US-led military alliance began withdrawing its soldiers, Afghanistan's long-running conflict has gotten much worse. The drill is expected to be finished by the end of the month.&nbsp; 
 
Watch | Gravitas: What did the U.S. achieve in Afghanistan? Nothing

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-what-did-the-us-achieve-in-afghanistan-nothing-397095/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Following the Taliban's takeover of numerous districts across the nation, US intelligence assessments have warned that the country's civilian government may fall to the jihadist organisation within months of US soldiers leaving.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

In Afghanistan, the Taliban is rapidly expanding its power. After a blitz through the north that drove tens of thousands of civilians to abandon their homes for the relative safety of Kabul and other towns, the Taliban took control of six Afghan provincial capitals on Tuesday.

In Afghanistan, the Taliban is rapidly expanding its power. After a blitz through the north that drove tens of thousands of civilians to abandon their homes for the relative safety of Kabul and other towns, the Taliban took control of six Afghan provincial capitals on Tuesday. Rashid Khan, the famous Afghanistan cricketer, turned to Twitter to plead to "global leaders" to help bring peace to the country. "Dear World Leaders! My country is in chaos, thousand of innocent people, including children & women, get martyred every day, houses & properties being destructed. A thousand families displaced..Don’t leave us in chaos. Stop killing Afghans & destroying Afghanistan (sic). We want peace," tweeted Rashid Khan. Dear World Leaders! My country is in chaos,thousand of innocent people, including children & women, get martyred everyday, houses & properties being destructed.Thousand families displaced.. Don’t leave us in chaos. Stop killing Afghans & destroying Afghaniatan🇦🇫. We want peace.🙏 — Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) August 10, 2021 × Since May, when the US-led military alliance began withdrawing its soldiers, Afghanistan's long-running conflict has gotten much worse. The drill is expected to be finished by the end of the month. Watch | Gravitas: What did the U.S. achieve in Afghanistan? Nothing Following the Taliban's takeover of numerous districts across the nation, US intelligence assessments have warned that the country's civilian government may fall to the jihadist organisation within months of US soldiers leaving. (With inputs from agencies)

Dear world leaders, don't leave Afghanistan in chaos: Cricketer Rashid Khan

Khalid Noor, the youngest member of the Afghanistan Peace Negotiating Team and son of Atta Muhammad Noor has said that the leader in the Mazar E Sharif will not "abandon the people". Atta Muhammad Noor, a prominent Afghan leader who holds sway in northern Afghanistan especially Balkh province has now himself taking the charge even as the Taliban making territorial gains. Speaking to our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Khalid Noor speaking from Mazar E Sharif said," I will be taking part in defending the city. I will be taking part in defending my people and their right. We will not abandon our people." He has graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in England and then from George Mason University in the US, majoring in conflict analysis and resolution. Khalid is seen as Afghanistan's next generation of leaders and in a way carrying his father's legacy.

Exclusive: Will not abandon our people, says Afghan's Next General Leader Khalid Noor

The situation in Afghanistan is alarming. Taliban has surrounded another key city. A civil war seems 'inevitable'. President Ashraf Ghani wants to arm civilians to fight Taliban. Meanwhile, India has shut down all consulates. Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Afghanistan: Civil war now 'inevitable'

Khalid Noor, the youngest member of the Afghanistan Peace Negotiating Team and son of Atta Muhammad Noor, has said that the leader in the Mazar-e-sharif will not "abandon the people".

Atta Muhammad Noor, a prominent Afghan leader who holds sway in northern Afghanistan, especially Balkh province, is now taking the charge even as the Taliban is making territorial gains.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-wants-afghanistans-neighbours-not-to-recognise-govt-imposed-by-force-as-taliban-capture-9th-provincial-capital-404659" hreflang="en">US wants Afghanistan's neighbours not to recognise govt imposed by force as Taliban capture 9th provincial capital</a>

Speaking to WION's Siddhant Sibbal, Khalid Noor, speaking from Mazar-e-sharif said, "I will be taking part in defending the city. I will be taking part in defending my people and their right. We will not abandon our people."

He has graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in England and then from George Mason University in the US, majoring in conflict analysis and resolution. Khalid is seen as Afghanistan's next generation of leaders and is expected to carry forward his father's legacy.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/i-do-not-regret-my-decision-says-biden-as-two-more-cities-fall-to-taliban-in-afghanistan-404538" hreflang="en">I do not regret my decision, says Biden as two more cities fall to Taliban in Afghanistan</a>

Asked about the Afghan President's visit to Mazar-e-sharif on Wednesday, he said, "We discussed the current situation and recent developments of the security challenges".

Here is the detailed exclusive interview.&nbsp;

WION: How is the situation in Afghanistan? 
Khalid Noor: The situation in Afghanistan is not good. There is a humanitarian crisis going on, the war and the slaughtering of our people by the Taliban have increased all over Afghanistan. Thousands of people are internally displaced, they are being wounded every week and need intensive care. In certain provinces, our hospitals can't help them. When it comes to Mazar-e-sharif, we are doing okay right now. We have been under attack by the Taliban for the last two&nbsp;months and in the last three days,&nbsp;attacks have increased a lot and we have been able to keep them away. We hope to defend and have everything and will send forces around the frontline of Balkh, gates of the city and we will do everything because our people are prepared and committed to defending their rights, they are committed to resisting against terror regime against extremism.

WION: Do you&nbsp;think Mazar will fall into the hands of the Taliban? 
Khalid Noor: One thing I have to clarify is that in war we cannot predict the future and what is going to happen. But we will do everything to defend the city. Even if it means war will be on the streets of the city, from house to house, from street to street, even if it means the city will be destroyed — we will not abandon our people. We will not let the Taliban come and rule our people by force. We will stand and&nbsp;we will defend but time will tell, what will be the fate of the city.

WION: Do you think the Taliban has changed? Also, considering that you are the youngest member of the Afghan peace negotiating team, how did you find the right approach with them? 
Khalid Noor: I wish it was true, I have told this before and I tell you right now that the Taliban haven't changed a bit. They are still the same extremist group with a very small mind. They still have very close ties to international terrorist groups.&nbsp;They still do not believe in human and women's rights. So, from what I have experienced and seen, witnessed on the battlefield, they haven't changed at all. About the negotiation, if they were serious, we were negotiating with them since September last year. Unfortunately, they are only wasting time and trying to buy time for themselves. They haven't engaged in any serious negotiation. Even last month when our leaders went to Doha, we emphasised that let's talk about a political settlement and&nbsp;let us not waste our time. Let's go directly to that, let us talk about a ceasefire and then everything will follow up. They hadn't shown any interest and all they wanted was their prisoners released. I can only say they are the same extremist group, and if they take power again, I can assure you Afghanistan will become a safe haven for international terrorist groups once more.&nbsp;

WION:&nbsp;What is Pakistan's role when it comes Afghan peace process?&nbsp; 
Khalid Noor: Pakistan has a huge role in the peace process, in convincing the Taliban. We hope that they realise it is time for a good neighbour to do their job and&nbsp;to help its neighbour to come to a peace agreement with the Taliban. But so far I cannot say it is going to happen or not. From what we have heard, our intelligence says&nbsp;that the Taliban has not only kept ties with Al Qaeda, JeM, ETIM, they&nbsp;developed even closer ties than before and if the international community does not address the issues, these terrorists will reach their streets.

WION:&nbsp;Are you wearing a military uniform for any specific reason, are you part of the resistance? 
Khalid Noor: Out of respect for you, I came to the house for the interview. I was at the frontline checking with our guys as to what is happening. Yes, I will be taking part in defending the city, my people and their right. We will not abandon our people. No matter the consequences, no matter the outcome, we will resist as long as it takes.

WION: Your father Atta Noor met President Ghani earlier today in Mazar, were there any outcomes?&nbsp;How is he fighting the current situation? 
Khalid Noor: North is the base of the Jamiat-e Islami party, so we do have a huge role in Mazar and we have the majority of forces in Balkh province and the&nbsp;surrounding areas. In today's meeting with President Ghani, we discussed the current situation and recent developments of the security challenges and we have talked about the weaknesses and the strength of our frontlines, to strengthen even more, how to defend the city, as well as how to retake other districts. There is a sort of coalition forming up with other political parties to stand against the Taliban. We hope it will work. We have to see the future.

WION:&nbsp;Is there any name of this coalition? 
Khalid Noor: We haven't thought of any name but a resistance of the people, I can assure you.

Sidhant Sibal: How do you&nbsp;see India's role in this?&nbsp; 
Khalid Noor: Indian consulate was open until two&nbsp;days ago. Now because the situation is getting worse, more so minute by minute, they had to leave Mazar for their security, you know there is a lot of really with India. They have to be very careful. India does play a huge role&nbsp;in the peace process as well as resistance against the Taliban. We expect India to stand by the Afghan people and by its old allies, just the way it did with Ahmed Shah Massod, the national hero of Afghanistan.&nbsp;

Khalid Noor, the youngest member of the Afghanistan Peace Negotiating Team and son of Atta Muhammad Noor, has said that the leader in the Mazar-e-sharif will not "abandon the people".

Khalid Noor, the youngest member of the Afghanistan Peace Negotiating Team and son of Atta Muhammad Noor, has said that the leader in the Mazar-e-sharif will not "abandon the people". Atta Muhammad Noor, a prominent Afghan leader who holds sway in northern Afghanistan, especially Balkh province, is now taking the charge even as the Taliban is making territorial gains. Also read | US wants Afghanistan's neighbours not to recognise govt imposed by force as Taliban capture 9th provincial capital Speaking to WION's Siddhant Sibbal, Khalid Noor, speaking from Mazar-e-sharif said, "I will be taking part in defending the city. I will be taking part in defending my people and their right. We will not abandon our people." He has graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in England and then from George Mason University in the US, majoring in conflict analysis and resolution. Khalid is seen as Afghanistan's next generation of leaders and is expected to carry forward his father's legacy. Also read | I do not regret my decision, says Biden as two more cities fall to Taliban in Afghanistan Asked about the Afghan President's visit to Mazar-e-sharif on Wednesday, he said, "We discussed the current situation and recent developments of the security challenges". Here is the detailed exclusive interview. WION: How is the situation in Afghanistan? Khalid Noor: The situation in Afghanistan is not good. There is a humanitarian crisis going on, the war and the slaughtering of our people by the Taliban have increased all over Afghanistan. Thousands of people are internally displaced, they are being wounded every week and need intensive care. In certain provinces, our hospitals can't help them. When it comes to Mazar-e-sharif, we are doing okay right now. We have been under attack by the Taliban for the last two months and in the last three days, attacks have increased a lot and we have been able to keep them away. We hope to defend and have everything and will send forces around the frontline of Balkh, gates of the city and we will do everything because our people are prepared and committed to defending their rights, they are committed to resisting against terror regime against extremism. WION: Do you think Mazar will fall into the hands of the Taliban? Khalid Noor: One thing I have to clarify is that in war we cannot predict the future and what is going to happen. But we will do everything to defend the city. Even if it means war will be on the streets of the city, from house to house, from street to street, even if it means the city will be destroyed — we will not abandon our people. We will not let the Taliban come and rule our people by force. We will stand and we will defend but time will tell, what will be the fate of the city. WION: Do you think the Taliban has changed? Also, considering that you are the youngest member of the Afghan peace negotiating team, how did you find the right approach with them? Khalid Noor: I wish it was true, I have told this before and I tell you right now that the Taliban haven't changed a bit. They are still the same extremist group with a very small mind. They still have very close ties to international terrorist groups. They still do not believe in human and women's rights. So, from what I have experienced and seen, witnessed on the battlefield, they haven't changed at all. About the negotiation, if they were serious, we were negotiating with them since September last year. Unfortunately, they are only wasting time and trying to buy time for themselves. They haven't engaged in any serious negotiation. Even last month when our leaders went to Doha, we emphasised that let's talk about a political settlement and let us not waste our time. Let's go directly to that, let us talk about a ceasefire and then everything will follow up. They hadn't shown any interest and all they wanted was their prisoners released. I can only say they are the same extremist group, and if they take power again, I can assure you Afghanistan will become a safe haven for international terrorist groups once more. WION: What is Pakistan's role when it comes Afghan peace process? Khalid Noor: Pakistan has a huge role in the peace process, in convincing the Taliban. We hope that they realise it is time for a good neighbour to do their job and to help its neighbour to come to a peace agreement with the Taliban. But so far I cannot say it is going to happen or not. From what we have heard, our intelligence says that the Taliban has not only kept ties with Al Qaeda, JeM, ETIM, they developed even closer ties than before and if the international community does not address the issues, these terrorists will reach their streets. WION: Are you wearing a military uniform for any specific reason, are you part of the resistance? Khalid Noor: Out of respect for you, I came to the house for the interview. I was at the frontline checking with our guys as to what is happening. Yes, I will be taking part in defending the city, my people and their right. We will not abandon our people. No matter the consequences, no matter the outcome, we will resist as long as it takes. WION: Your father Atta Noor met President Ghani earlier today in Mazar, were there any outcomes? How is he fighting the current situation? Khalid Noor: North is the base of the Jamiat-e Islami party, so we do have a huge role in Mazar and we have the majority of forces in Balkh province and the surrounding areas. In today's meeting with President Ghani, we discussed the current situation and recent developments of the security challenges and we have talked about the weaknesses and the strength of our frontlines, to strengthen even more, how to defend the city, as well as how to retake other districts. There is a sort of coalition forming up with other political parties to stand against the Taliban. We hope it will work. We have to see the future. WION: Is there any name of this coalition? Khalid Noor: We haven't thought of any name but a resistance of the people, I can assure you. Sidhant Sibal: How do you see India's role in this? Khalid Noor: Indian consulate was open until two days ago. Now because the situation is getting worse, more so minute by minute, they had to leave Mazar for their security, you know there is a lot of really with India. They have to be very careful. India does play a huge role in the peace process as well as resistance against the Taliban. We expect India to stand by the Afghan people and by its old allies, just the way it did with Ahmed Shah Massod, the national hero of Afghanistan.

Will not abandon our people, says Afghan's next generation leader Khalid Noor

After holding talks with the Taliban, China is now conducting anti-terror drills with Russia to counter possible security threats by the terror outfit. Is Beijing confused about its approach or is it playing both sides? Palki Sharma has this to say.

Gravitas: What is China's game plan in Afghanistan?

The European Union is no position to deal with a repeat of the 2015 migration crisis and must try to keep people from fleeing conflict in Afghanistan, Greece said on Wednesday, as unity between EU member states over deportations crumbled. 
 
Greece, which last week co-signed a letter with five other EU countries saying deportations of failed asylum-seekers should continue despite the fighting, said ending such returns "would send the wrong message". 
 
"It would lead to more people trying to leave and come to the European Union," Migration Minister Notis Mitarachi told Reuters. 
 
However, two other signatories to the letter, the Netherlands and Germany, abruptly reversed course on Wednesday, saying they would not, for now, deport Afghan citizens who are seeking asylum, given the rapidly escalating conflict there. 
 
Among other signatories, Austria said it was sticking to its position and Denmark and Belgium declined to comment. But German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer said a state based on the rule of law had a responsibility to ensure any deportations did not put people in danger. 
 
"The security situation is changing so rapidly that we cannot meet this responsibility," he said. 
 
DIFFERENCES 
 
The disagreement underlined the differences over the issue within the EU, which Mitarachi said was unprepared for a repeat of the 2015 migrant crisis when more than a million people, most of them Syrians, Afghans and Iraqis, arrived seeking refuge. 
 
"Absolutely not, the EU is not ready and does not have the capacity to handle another major migration crisis," he said. 
 
For now, the issue is largely theoretical as returns have not been possible due to the Afghan situation. Last week Germany cancelled a flight due to deport six Afghans convicted of criminal offences to Kabul because of security risks. 
 
Fears of a new migrant crisis have escalated as Taliban fighters have made sudden, strong gains in their campaign to defeat the Kabul government following the withdrawal of U.S.-led foreign forces after a 20-year presence. 
 
Mitarachi said the EU should offer more support to help Greece`s neighbour Turkey handle more arrivals from Afghanistan. 
 
A European Commission spokesperson said on Tuesday it was for member states to determine their approach to deportations. However, a senior EU official said it was "hard to imagine" forced returns would go ahead in current conditions.

The European Union is no position to deal with a repeat of the 2015 migration crisis and must try to keep people from fleeing conflict in Afghanistan, Greece said on Wednesday, as unity between EU member states over deportations crumbled.

The European Union is no position to deal with a repeat of the 2015 migration crisis and must try to keep people from fleeing conflict in Afghanistan, Greece said on Wednesday, as unity between EU member states over deportations crumbled. Greece, which last week co-signed a letter with five other EU countries saying deportations of failed asylum-seekers should continue despite the fighting, said ending such returns "would send the wrong message". "It would lead to more people trying to leave and come to the European Union," Migration Minister Notis Mitarachi told Reuters. However, two other signatories to the letter, the Netherlands and Germany, abruptly reversed course on Wednesday, saying they would not, for now, deport Afghan citizens who are seeking asylum, given the rapidly escalating conflict there. Among other signatories, Austria said it was sticking to its position and Denmark and Belgium declined to comment. But German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer said a state based on the rule of law had a responsibility to ensure any deportations did not put people in danger. "The security situation is changing so rapidly that we cannot meet this responsibility," he said. DIFFERENCES The disagreement underlined the differences over the issue within the EU, which Mitarachi said was unprepared for a repeat of the 2015 migrant crisis when more than a million people, most of them Syrians, Afghans and Iraqis, arrived seeking refuge. "Absolutely not, the EU is not ready and does not have the capacity to handle another major migration crisis," he said. For now, the issue is largely theoretical as returns have not been possible due to the Afghan situation. Last week Germany cancelled a flight due to deport six Afghans convicted of criminal offences to Kabul because of security risks. Fears of a new migrant crisis have escalated as Taliban fighters have made sudden, strong gains in their campaign to defeat the Kabul government following the withdrawal of U.S.-led foreign forces after a 20-year presence. Mitarachi said the EU should offer more support to help Greece`s neighbour Turkey handle more arrivals from Afghanistan. A European Commission spokesperson said on Tuesday it was for member states to determine their approach to deportations. However, a senior EU official said it was "hard to imagine" forced returns would go ahead in current conditions.

European Union countries at odds on migrant returns as Afghan conflict grows

Taliban is making strategic gains around Kabul and is capturing the majority of the cities. Nine major cities are under Taliban's control as of now.

Taliban makes strategic gains around Kabul, captures 9 major cities

Since international troops began withdrawing from Afghanistan in May, the Taliban have carried out a sweeping military campaign and gained control of much of the country’s rural areas. But for months, the insurgents failed to capture major cities — until now.

Over the past six days, the insurgents have overrun nine provincial capitals across the country, most of them clustered in the north, in a major escalation of their military offensive and a devastating setback for the Afghan government.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-wants-afghanistans-neighbours-not-to-recognise-govt-imposed-by-force-as-taliban-capture-9th-provincial-capital-404659" hreflang="en">US wants Afghanistan's neighbours not to recognise govt imposed by force as Taliban capture 9th provincial capital</a>

The Taliban’s rapid victories have put enormous pressure on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/afghanistan">Afghan</a> political leaders and the country’s beleaguered security forces, which have been overwhelmed by the insurgents’ unrelenting advance. The collapse of cities particularly in northern Afghanistan — once the heart of resistance to the Taliban’s rise to power in 1996 — has stoked fears that the insurgents could encircle the country’s capital, Kabul, in a complete military takeover.

Now, the Afghan government must decide whether to reconstitute its forces around the territory it holds — including Kabul — or try to retake its fallen cities. Here’s what we know and what questions will need to be answered in the coming days.

What areas do the Taliban now control?

Since the Taliban began their military offensive in May, the insurgents have captured more than half of Afghanistan’s 400-odd districts, according to some assessments. In recent weeks, after sweeping through much of Afghanistan’s countryside, the insurgents started besieging multiple provincial capitals simultaneously for the first time in the 20-year war.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-wants-afghanistans-neighbours-not-to-recognise-govt-imposed-by-force-as-taliban-capture-9th-provincial-capital-404659" hreflang="en">US wants Afghanistan's neighbours not to recognise govt imposed by force as Taliban capture 9th provincial capital</a>

Then on Friday, those front lines broke: The Taliban captured Zaranj, a provincial capital near the border with Iran, after facing little resistance from Afghan security forces upon entering the city. A day later, they captured another capital, Sheberghan, the northern stronghold of warlord Marshal Abdul Rashid Dostum, whose militia forces were overrun.

On Sunday, Taliban forces seized three more northern capitals. They captured Taloqan, the capital of Takhar province, and Sar-e-Pul, the capital of the province with the same name. They also seized Kunduz, the largest city captured to date and a vital commercial hub that the group has long coveted as both a strategic and symbolic prize.

The Taliban continued their relentless drive Monday, overrunning Aybak, the capital of Samangan province that sits on the main highway that connects Kabul to Afghanistan’s northern provinces. Then on Tuesday, insurgents seized three more capitals: Farah city in the western province of the same name; Pul-e-Khumri, the capital of the northern Baghlan province; and Faizabad, the capital of remote and rugged Badakhshan province in the country’s far northeast.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-brings-back-50-nationals-from-mazar-e-sharif-amid-talibans-surge-404585" hreflang="en">India brings back 50 nationals from Mazar-e-Sharif amid Taliban's surge</a>

The simultaneous sieges on provincial hubs overwhelmed Afghan security forces and stretched military resources dangerously thin. Resupply lines to government forces are severed. The cities and districts still under the government’s control are even more cut off and isolated. And Afghan security forces are exhausted from the brutal offensive.

How is the Afghan government responding?

Amid all the defeat, the administration of President Ashraf Ghani refused to acknowledge the falling capitals. Instead, the Afghan Ministry of Defense continued to promote its official talking points that emphasized Taliban deaths and the strength of the Afghan security forces.

The country’s acting finance minister, Khalid Payenda, resigned and left the country as the security situation deteriorated. Although he said on Facebook that he was leaving because of family issues, his departure was a sign to many Afghans that their political leaders had all but accepted a complete Taliban takeover.

The Afghan government strategy to slow down the Taliban’s advance aligns with long-standing US&nbsp;recommendations that the Afghans consolidate their remaining forces around key roads, cities and border crossings, and abandon most of the districts already seized by the Taliban, according to American and UN&nbsp;diplomats.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/grave-concern-taliban-advance-towards-mazar-e-sharif-after-weekend-blitz-404348" hreflang="en">'Grave concern': Taliban advance towards Mazar-e-Sharif after weekend blitz</a>

But it is not clear how that plan addresses the capture of now nine provincial capitals around the country — or accounts for the exhaustion of the country’s air force and commandos.

For months, those elite forces have been the backbone of the country’s defence against the Taliban. As the insurgents besieged cities, they have shuttled from one vulnerable position to another to flush the Taliban out of urban centres, hold territory under government control and retake some districts from the Taliban.

But that strategy is only a stopgap measure. There are simply not enough troops to defend all 34 of the country’s provincial capitals and 400-odd districts, and after months of nonstop fighting, those forces have been battered.

By Tuesday evening, Afghan security forces had not carried out any earnest operations to retake the seized capitals. In Kunduz, where military leaders had vowed to begin an operation to retake the strategic hub, Taliban forces on Wednesday captured Kunduz’s airport, the last pocket of government control on the outskirts of the city.

In a bid to rally government troops and militia forces, Ghani flew to Mazar-e-Sharif, the capital of the northern Balkh province and the only major northern city still under government control. If the insurgents manage to capture the city, it would represent the near complete collapse of northern Afghanistan to the Taliban.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-afghanistan-civil-war-now-inevitable-404533/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Could the Taliban stage a complete military takeover?

The Taliban’s breakthrough victories in northern Afghanistan, in particular, have stoked fears that the insurgents could envelop the nation’s capital, Kabul — opening the possibility for a complete military takeover.

After the Taliban emerged in the 1990s, the southern and predominantly ethnic Pashtun insurgency faced fierce resistance from militia groups in the north known as the Northern Alliance. Even when the Taliban seized control of Kabul in 1996, the Northern Alliance deprived the group of a complete takeover for the course of their five-year rule.

But now with the capture of seven northern cities in just five days, experts warn that if the insurgents are able to conquer the north — squashing the country’s best hope for a grassroots resistance strong enough to take on the Taliban — the country could fall in their hands completely.

“The north is strategic for the Taliban, because they believe if they can capture these non-Pashtun areas,” said Ramish Salemi, a political analyst in Kabul, “then they can easily take control of the south and the capital, Kabul.”

Will the Taliban’s advance affect the US&nbsp;military withdrawal?

The US&nbsp;military presence in Afghanistan is set to end by the end of the month, and the recent string of Taliban military victories has not moved <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">President Joe Biden</a> to reassess that plan, officials said.

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Still, the escalating violence is a predicament for Biden, who has toed the line between extracting the United States from the war while insisting that he is not abandoning Afghanistan to the Taliban.

The US&nbsp;withdrawal is already 95 per cent complete, officials say. But over the past three weeks, as the Taliban pushed their front lines deep into urban areas, the US&nbsp;military has carried out some airstrikes in Afghanistan to try to buy time for Afghan security forces to rally a defence around the major cities under siege.

Administration officials say the Pentagon will likely request authorisation from the president for additional airstrikes in the next months, should the key southern city of Kandahar or the nation’s capital, Kabul, appear on the verge of falling.

But on Sunday, as three northern cities fell to the insurgents, the US&nbsp;response was muted. It sent a clear message to Afghan leaders: In no uncertain terms, America’s 20-year war in Afghanistan is over, and the Afghan forces will have to retake the cities on their own or leave them to the Taliban for good.

Since international troops began withdrawing from Afghanistan in May, the Taliban have carried out a sweeping military campaign and gained control of much of the country’s rural areas.

Since international troops began withdrawing from Afghanistan in May, the Taliban have carried out a sweeping military campaign and gained control of much of the country’s rural areas. But for months, the insurgents failed to capture major cities — until now. Over the past six days, the insurgents have overrun nine provincial capitals across the country, most of them clustered in the north, in a major escalation of their military offensive and a devastating setback for the Afghan government. Also read | US wants Afghanistan's neighbours not to recognise govt imposed by force as Taliban capture 9th provincial capital The Taliban’s rapid victories have put enormous pressure on Afghan political leaders and the country’s beleaguered security forces, which have been overwhelmed by the insurgents’ unrelenting advance. The collapse of cities particularly in northern Afghanistan — once the heart of resistance to the Taliban’s rise to power in 1996 — has stoked fears that the insurgents could encircle the country’s capital, Kabul, in a complete military takeover. Now, the Afghan government must decide whether to reconstitute its forces around the territory it holds — including Kabul — or try to retake its fallen cities. Here’s what we know and what questions will need to be answered in the coming days. What areas do the Taliban now control? Since the Taliban began their military offensive in May, the insurgents have captured more than half of Afghanistan’s 400-odd districts, according to some assessments. In recent weeks, after sweeping through much of Afghanistan’s countryside, the insurgents started besieging multiple provincial capitals simultaneously for the first time in the 20-year war. Also read | US wants Afghanistan's neighbours not to recognise govt imposed by force as Taliban capture 9th provincial capital Then on Friday, those front lines broke: The Taliban captured Zaranj, a provincial capital near the border with Iran, after facing little resistance from Afghan security forces upon entering the city. A day later, they captured another capital, Sheberghan, the northern stronghold of warlord Marshal Abdul Rashid Dostum, whose militia forces were overrun. On Sunday, Taliban forces seized three more northern capitals. They captured Taloqan, the capital of Takhar province, and Sar-e-Pul, the capital of the province with the same name. They also seized Kunduz, the largest city captured to date and a vital commercial hub that the group has long coveted as both a strategic and symbolic prize. The Taliban continued their relentless drive Monday, overrunning Aybak, the capital of Samangan province that sits on the main highway that connects Kabul to Afghanistan’s northern provinces. Then on Tuesday, insurgents seized three more capitals: Farah city in the western province of the same name; Pul-e-Khumri, the capital of the northern Baghlan province; and Faizabad, the capital of remote and rugged Badakhshan province in the country’s far northeast. Also read | India brings back 50 nationals from Mazar-e-Sharif amid Taliban's surge The simultaneous sieges on provincial hubs overwhelmed Afghan security forces and stretched military resources dangerously thin. Resupply lines to government forces are severed. The cities and districts still under the government’s control are even more cut off and isolated. And Afghan security forces are exhausted from the brutal offensive. How is the Afghan government responding? Amid all the defeat, the administration of President Ashraf Ghani refused to acknowledge the falling capitals. Instead, the Afghan Ministry of Defense continued to promote its official talking points that emphasized Taliban deaths and the strength of the Afghan security forces. The country’s acting finance minister, Khalid Payenda, resigned and left the country as the security situation deteriorated. Although he said on Facebook that he was leaving because of family issues, his departure was a sign to many Afghans that their political leaders had all but accepted a complete Taliban takeover. The Afghan government strategy to slow down the Taliban’s advance aligns with long-standing US recommendations that the Afghans consolidate their remaining forces around key roads, cities and border crossings, and abandon most of the districts already seized by the Taliban, according to American and UN diplomats. Also read | 'Grave concern': Taliban advance towards Mazar-e-Sharif after weekend blitz But it is not clear how that plan addresses the capture of now nine provincial capitals around the country — or accounts for the exhaustion of the country’s air force and commandos. For months, those elite forces have been the backbone of the country’s defence against the Taliban. As the insurgents besieged cities, they have shuttled from one vulnerable position to another to flush the Taliban out of urban centres, hold territory under government control and retake some districts from the Taliban. But that strategy is only a stopgap measure. There are simply not enough troops to defend all 34 of the country’s provincial capitals and 400-odd districts, and after months of nonstop fighting, those forces have been battered. By Tuesday evening, Afghan security forces had not carried out any earnest operations to retake the seized capitals. In Kunduz, where military leaders had vowed to begin an operation to retake the strategic hub, Taliban forces on Wednesday captured Kunduz’s airport, the last pocket of government control on the outskirts of the city. In a bid to rally government troops and militia forces, Ghani flew to Mazar-e-Sharif, the capital of the northern Balkh province and the only major northern city still under government control. If the insurgents manage to capture the city, it would represent the near complete collapse of northern Afghanistan to the Taliban. Could the Taliban stage a complete military takeover? The Taliban’s breakthrough victories in northern Afghanistan, in particular, have stoked fears that the insurgents could envelop the nation’s capital, Kabul — opening the possibility for a complete military takeover. After the Taliban emerged in the 1990s, the southern and predominantly ethnic Pashtun insurgency faced fierce resistance from militia groups in the north known as the Northern Alliance. Even when the Taliban seized control of Kabul in 1996, the Northern Alliance deprived the group of a complete takeover for the course of their five-year rule. But now with the capture of seven northern cities in just five days, experts warn that if the insurgents are able to conquer the north — squashing the country’s best hope for a grassroots resistance strong enough to take on the Taliban — the country could fall in their hands completely. “The north is strategic for the Taliban, because they believe if they can capture these non-Pashtun areas,” said Ramish Salemi, a political analyst in Kabul, “then they can easily take control of the south and the capital, Kabul.” Will the Taliban’s advance affect the US military withdrawal? The US military presence in Afghanistan is set to end by the end of the month, and the recent string of Taliban military victories has not moved President Joe Biden to reassess that plan, officials said. Still, the escalating violence is a predicament for Biden, who has toed the line between extracting the United States from the war while insisting that he is not abandoning Afghanistan to the Taliban. The US withdrawal is already 95 per cent complete, officials say. But over the past three weeks, as the Taliban pushed their front lines deep into urban areas, the US military has carried out some airstrikes in Afghanistan to try to buy time for Afghan security forces to rally a defence around the major cities under siege. Administration officials say the Pentagon will likely request authorisation from the president for additional airstrikes in the next months, should the key southern city of Kandahar or the nation’s capital, Kabul, appear on the verge of falling. But on Sunday, as three northern cities fell to the insurgents, the US response was muted. It sent a clear message to Afghan leaders: In no uncertain terms, America’s 20-year war in Afghanistan is over, and the Afghan forces will have to retake the cities on their own or leave them to the Taliban for good.

Could the Taliban take over Afghanistan? Here’s what we know

Amid the ongoing violence in Afghanistan, a three-day conference is underway in Doha to discuss peace talks in Afghanistan. The participants at the high-level talks include representatives from UN, Qatar, US, UK, EU, China, Uzbekistan and Pakistan.

Three-day conference underway in Doha to discuss peace talks in Afghanistan

Conference held in Doha to discuss Afghanistan situation, conduct peace talks

Indian citizens will have to submit the details like their full name and passport number to the consulate immediately to take the special flight.

India to temporarily close Mazar-e-Sharif consulate in Afghanistan

US State Department said the situation in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-seize-provincial-capitals-in-afghanistan-as-kunduz-falls-404107">Afghanistan</a> was "grave" and was rapidly deteriorating as the Taliban continued its sweep through the country.

"The increased tempo of Taliban military engagement, resulting in civilian causalities in armed conflict between the sides, and alleged human rights atrocities are of grave concern," US State Department said.

The Taliban has seized the sixth<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-seize-two-more-afghan-provincial-capitals-in-northern-blitz-404055"> provincial capital</a>. The group said its forces have been&nbsp;moving in on Mazar-e-Sharif.

Watch:

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The militant group has been on the offensive since mid-May and have escalated its fighting capabilities as President Biden announced last month that the last of the US troops will be out of Afghanistan by August 31.

"Ambassador Khalilzad will be in Doha to help formulate a joint international response to the rapidly deteriorating situation in Afghanistan," the US State Department said amid heavy fighting on the ground between Taliban and Afghan government forces.

The US has provided air support to the Afghan forces but it is unclear whether it will continue its bombing campaign beyond the end of this month.

"It's their country to defend. This is their struggle," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said.

Meanwhile, the Taliban seized its sixth provincial capital after seizing districts in the rural areas in the north and south including key border crossing close to Tajikistan, Pakistan and Iran.

Kunduz, Sar-e-Pul and Taloqan have fallen to the Taliban with heavy fighting still continuing in Herat. The government forces have been pushed back in several areas as the Taliban has consolidated its gains engaging in street by street fighting in many cities.

Afghanistan's second-largest city Kunduz had fallen on Sunday as the Taliban continued its weekend blitz although the airport and army barracks were still being held by the Afghan forces.

The militant group is also engaged in heavy fighting in Kandahar and Lashkar Gah with the conflict going on for the past several weeks.

(With inputs from Agencies)&nbsp;

US State Department said the situation in Afghanistan was "grave" and was rapidly deteriorating as the Taliban continued its sweep through the country. "The increased tempo of Taliban military engagement, resulting in civilian causalities in armed conflict between the sides, and alleged human rights atrocities are of grave concern," US State Department said.

US State Department said the situation in Afghanistan was "grave" and was rapidly deteriorating as the Taliban continued its sweep through the country. "The increased tempo of Taliban military engagement, resulting in civilian causalities in armed conflict between the sides, and alleged human rights atrocities are of grave concern," US State Department said. The Taliban has seized the sixth provincial capital. The group said its forces have been moving in on Mazar-e-Sharif. Watch: The militant group has been on the offensive since mid-May and have escalated its fighting capabilities as President Biden announced last month that the last of the US troops will be out of Afghanistan by August 31. "Ambassador Khalilzad will be in Doha to help formulate a joint international response to the rapidly deteriorating situation in Afghanistan," the US State Department said amid heavy fighting on the ground between Taliban and Afghan government forces. The US has provided air support to the Afghan forces but it is unclear whether it will continue its bombing campaign beyond the end of this month. "It's their country to defend. This is their struggle," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said. Meanwhile, the Taliban seized its sixth provincial capital after seizing districts in the rural areas in the north and south including key border crossing close to Tajikistan, Pakistan and Iran. Kunduz, Sar-e-Pul and Taloqan have fallen to the Taliban with heavy fighting still continuing in Herat. The government forces have been pushed back in several areas as the Taliban has consolidated its gains engaging in street by street fighting in many cities. Afghanistan's second-largest city Kunduz had fallen on Sunday as the Taliban continued its weekend blitz although the airport and army barracks were still being held by the Afghan forces. The militant group is also engaged in heavy fighting in Kandahar and Lashkar Gah with the conflict going on for the past several weeks. (With inputs from Agencies)

'Grave concern': Taliban advance towards Mazar-e-Sharif after weekend blitz

Taliban continues&nbsp;its surge across <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/dear-world-leaders-dont-leave-afghanistan-in-chaos-cricketer-rashid-khan-404512">Afghanistan</a> with the capture of two more provincial cities with a total of eight provinces seized in the last couple of days.

Amid the Taliban advance, US President Biden said he did&nbsp;regret his decision&nbsp;to pull US troops out of the region as the militants took Farah city and Pul-e-Khumri in Baghlan.

"I do not regret my decision," the US President said.

President Biden had announced last month that all US troops will be out of Afghanistan by August 31 which is now just weeks away even as the Taliban continues its sweep through the country.

Watch:

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The militant group had said earlier that its men were now headed towards the country's second-biggest city <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/grave-concern-taliban-advance-towards-mazar-i-sharif-after-weekend-blitz-404348">Mazar-i-Sharif</a>. The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/india-to-evacuate-diplomats-and-citizens-from-mazar-e-sharif-consulate-in-afghanistan-404430">Indian</a> government sent a special flight to Maza-i-Sharif on Tuesday to evacuate diplomats and Indian nations. &nbsp;

At least &nbsp;1500 Indian nationals are currently involved in various development projects in Afghanistan. Reports say Taliban fighters are closing in on Aibak, a provincial capital between Mazar-i-Sharif and Kabul.

"Afghan leaders have to come together, they have got to fight for themselves, fight for their nation," US President Biden said.

The US president added that&nbsp;the country had spent over $1 trillion since September 2001 and lost thousands of troops during its fight against the Taliban and to restore the country.

Taliban had begun its offensive in mid-May and have annexed several strategic border crossings along the Pakistan, Iran and Tajikistan border as US troops pull out of the region.

Although the US has been carrying out airstrikes along with Afghan pilots but it is unclear whether it would continue beyond August 31.

Meanwhile, UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet said the Taliban's recent offensive which involved "deeply disturbing reports" of executions could amount to war crimes, adding, "People rightly fear that a seizure of power by the Taliban will erase the human rights gains of the past two decades.”

(With inputs from Agencies)

Taliban continues its surge across Afghanistan with the capture of two more provincial cities with a total of eight provinces seized in the last couple of days. Amid the Taliban advance, US President Biden said he did regret his decision to pull US troops out of the region as the militants took Farah city and Pul-e-Khumri in Baghlan.

Taliban continues its surge across Afghanistan with the capture of two more provincial cities with a total of eight provinces seized in the last couple of days. Amid the Taliban advance, US President Biden said he did regret his decision to pull US troops out of the region as the militants took Farah city and Pul-e-Khumri in Baghlan. "I do not regret my decision," the US President said. President Biden had announced last month that all US troops will be out of Afghanistan by August 31 which is now just weeks away even as the Taliban continues its sweep through the country. Watch: The militant group had said earlier that its men were now headed towards the country's second-biggest city Mazar-i-Sharif. The Indian government sent a special flight to Maza-i-Sharif on Tuesday to evacuate diplomats and Indian nations. At least 1500 Indian nationals are currently involved in various development projects in Afghanistan. Reports say Taliban fighters are closing in on Aibak, a provincial capital between Mazar-i-Sharif and Kabul. "Afghan leaders have to come together, they have got to fight for themselves, fight for their nation," US President Biden said. The US president added that the country had spent over $1 trillion since September 2001 and lost thousands of troops during its fight against the Taliban and to restore the country. Taliban had begun its offensive in mid-May and have annexed several strategic border crossings along the Pakistan, Iran and Tajikistan border as US troops pull out of the region. Although the US has been carrying out airstrikes along with Afghan pilots but it is unclear whether it would continue beyond August 31. Meanwhile, UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet said the Taliban's recent offensive which involved "deeply disturbing reports" of executions could amount to war crimes, adding, "People rightly fear that a seizure of power by the Taliban will erase the human rights gains of the past two decades.” (With inputs from Agencies)

I do not regret my decision, says Biden as two more cities fall to Taliban in Afghanistan

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Could the Taliban take over Afghanistan? Here’s what we know