The Taliban tightened the noose over northern Afghanistan Sunday, capturing two more provincial capitals as they take their fight to the cities after seizing much of the countryside in recent months.

The insurgents have snatched up four provincial capitals in Afghanistan since Friday in a lightning offensive that appears to have overwhelmed government forces.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/opinion-why-us-strategy-in-afghanistan-failed-against-taliban-pakistan-nexus-403844">Opinion | Why US strategy in Afghanistan failed against Taliban-Pakistan nexus?</a>

Kunduz and Sar-e-Pul in the north fell within hours of each other Sunday, lawmakers and residents in the cities confirmed, but not without fierce fighting.

Pro-Taliban social media accounts claimed the insurgents were also close to overrunning the provincial capital of Taloqan.

In Kunduz, one resident described the city as being enveloped in "total chaos".

"After some fierce fighting, the mujahideen, with the grace of God, captured the capital of Kunduz," the Taliban said in a statement.

"The mujahideen also captured Sar-e-Pul city, the government buildings and all the installations there."

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-captures-key-installations-in-kunduz-heavy-fighting-underway-in-herat-kandahar-403938">Taliban captures key installations in Kunduz, heavy fighting underway in Herat, Kandahar</a>

Parwina Azimi, a women's rights activist in Sar-e-Pul, told AFP by phone that government officials and the remaining forces had retreated to an army barracks about three kilometres (two miles) from the city.

The Taliban had the compound "surrounded", said Mohammad Hussein Mujahidzada, a member of the provincial council.

Perennial target

Kunduz is the most significant Taliban gain since the insurgents launched an offensive in May as foreign forces began the final stages of their withdrawal.&nbsp;

It has been a perennial target for the Taliban, who briefly overran the city in 2015 and again in 2016 but never managed to hold it for long.&nbsp;

The ministry of defence said government forces were fighting to retake key installations.

"The commando forces have launched a clearing operation. Some areas, including the national radio and TV buildings, have been cleared of the terrorist Taliban," it said.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/afghanistan-taliban-claims-to-capture-urban-parts-in-kunduz-403956/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Kabul's ability to hold the north may prove crucial to the government's long-term survival.

Northern Afghanistan has long been considered an anti-Taliban stronghold that saw some of the stiffest resistance to militant rule in the 1990s.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/in-taliban-held-nimroz-public-property-gets-looted-403846">In Taliban-held Nimroz, public property gets ‘looted’</a>

The region remains home to several militias and is also a fertile recruiting ground for the country's armed forces.&nbsp;

"The capture of Kunduz is quite significant because it will free up a large number of Taliban forces who might then be mobilised in other parts of the north," said Ibraheem Thurial, a consultant for International Crisis Group.

Vivid footage of the fighting was posted on social media over the weekend, including what appeared to be large numbers of prisoners being freed from jails in captured cities.

The Taliban frequently target prisons to release incarcerated fighters to replenish their ranks.

On Friday, the insurgents seized their first provincial capital, Zaranj in southwestern Nimroz on the border with Iran, and followed it up by taking&nbsp;Sheberghan&nbsp;in northern Jawzjan province the next day.

US airstrikes&nbsp;

Fighting was also reported on the outskirts of Herat in the west, and Lashkar Gah and Kandahar in the south.

The pace of Taliban advances has caught government forces flatfooted, but they won some respite late Saturday after US warplanes bombed Taliban positions in&nbsp;Sheberghan.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-orders-b-52-bombers-spectre-gunships-to-target-taliban-says-report-403840">US orders B-52 bombers, Spectre gunships to target Taliban, says report</a> &nbsp;

"US forces have conducted several air strikes in defence of our Afghan partners in recent days," Major Nicole Ferrara, a Central Command spokesperson, told AFP in Washington.

Sheberghan&nbsp;is the stronghold of notorious Afghan warlord Abdul Rashid Dostum, whose militiamen and government forces were reportedly retreating east to Mazar-i-Sharif in Balkh province.

Dostum has overseen one of the largest militias in the north and garnered a fearsome reputation fighting the Taliban in the 1990s -- along with accusations his forces massacred thousands of insurgent prisoners of war.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/taliban-international-community-worries-for-afghans-404044/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

A retreat of his fighters dents the government's recent hopes that militias could help the overstretched military.

The government has said little about the fall of the provincial capitals, other than vowing to retake them.

That has been a familiar response to most Taliban gains in recent weeks, although government forces have largely failed to make good on promises to retake dozens of districts and border posts.

Hundreds of thousands of Afghans have been displaced by the recent fighting, and on Saturday, 12 people were killed when their bus was struck by a roadside bomb as they tried to flee Gardez in Paktia province.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/afghanistan-violence-in-herat-city-prompt-mass-evacuation-403959/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"I lost my mother, father, two brothers, two sisters-in-law and other members of the family," said Noor Jan.

The withdrawal of foreign forces is due to finish at the end of this month ahead of the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. The US-led invasion sparked by 9/11 toppled the first Taliban regime in 2001.

The Taliban tightened the noose over northern Afghanistan Sunday, capturing two more provincial capitals as they take their fight to the cities after seizing much of the countryside in recent months.

The Taliban tightened the noose over northern Afghanistan Sunday, capturing two more provincial capitals as they take their fight to the cities after seizing much of the countryside in recent months. The insurgents have snatched up four provincial capitals in Afghanistan since Friday in a lightning offensive that appears to have overwhelmed government forces. Also read | Opinion | Why US strategy in Afghanistan failed against Taliban-Pakistan nexus? Kunduz and Sar-e-Pul in the north fell within hours of each other Sunday, lawmakers and residents in the cities confirmed, but not without fierce fighting. Pro-Taliban social media accounts claimed the insurgents were also close to overrunning the provincial capital of Taloqan. In Kunduz, one resident described the city as being enveloped in "total chaos". "After some fierce fighting, the mujahideen, with the grace of God, captured the capital of Kunduz," the Taliban said in a statement. "The mujahideen also captured Sar-e-Pul city, the government buildings and all the installations there." Also read | Taliban captures key installations in Kunduz, heavy fighting underway in Herat, Kandahar Parwina Azimi, a women's rights activist in Sar-e-Pul, told AFP by phone that government officials and the remaining forces had retreated to an army barracks about three kilometres (two miles) from the city. The Taliban had the compound "surrounded", said Mohammad Hussein Mujahidzada, a member of the provincial council. Perennial target Kunduz is the most significant Taliban gain since the insurgents launched an offensive in May as foreign forces began the final stages of their withdrawal. It has been a perennial target for the Taliban, who briefly overran the city in 2015 and again in 2016 but never managed to hold it for long. The ministry of defence said government forces were fighting to retake key installations. "The commando forces have launched a clearing operation. Some areas, including the national radio and TV buildings, have been cleared of the terrorist Taliban," it said. Kabul's ability to hold the north may prove crucial to the government's long-term survival. Northern Afghanistan has long been considered an anti-Taliban stronghold that saw some of the stiffest resistance to militant rule in the 1990s. Also read | In Taliban-held Nimroz, public property gets ‘looted’ The region remains home to several militias and is also a fertile recruiting ground for the country's armed forces. "The capture of Kunduz is quite significant because it will free up a large number of Taliban forces who might then be mobilised in other parts of the north," said Ibraheem Thurial, a consultant for International Crisis Group. Vivid footage of the fighting was posted on social media over the weekend, including what appeared to be large numbers of prisoners being freed from jails in captured cities. The Taliban frequently target prisons to release incarcerated fighters to replenish their ranks. On Friday, the insurgents seized their first provincial capital, Zaranj in southwestern Nimroz on the border with Iran, and followed it up by taking Sheberghan in northern Jawzjan province the next day. US airstrikes Fighting was also reported on the outskirts of Herat in the west, and Lashkar Gah and Kandahar in the south. The pace of Taliban advances has caught government forces flatfooted, but they won some respite late Saturday after US warplanes bombed Taliban positions in Sheberghan. Also read | US orders B-52 bombers, Spectre gunships to target Taliban, says report "US forces have conducted several air strikes in defence of our Afghan partners in recent days," Major Nicole Ferrara, a Central Command spokesperson, told AFP in Washington. Sheberghan is the stronghold of notorious Afghan warlord Abdul Rashid Dostum, whose militiamen and government forces were reportedly retreating east to Mazar-i-Sharif in Balkh province. Dostum has overseen one of the largest militias in the north and garnered a fearsome reputation fighting the Taliban in the 1990s -- along with accusations his forces massacred thousands of insurgent prisoners of war. A retreat of his fighters dents the government's recent hopes that militias could help the overstretched military. The government has said little about the fall of the provincial capitals, other than vowing to retake them. That has been a familiar response to most Taliban gains in recent weeks, although government forces have largely failed to make good on promises to retake dozens of districts and border posts. Hundreds of thousands of Afghans have been displaced by the recent fighting, and on Saturday, 12 people were killed when their bus was struck by a roadside bomb as they tried to flee Gardez in Paktia province. "I lost my mother, father, two brothers, two sisters-in-law and other members of the family," said Noor Jan. The withdrawal of foreign forces is due to finish at the end of this month ahead of the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. The US-led invasion sparked by 9/11 toppled the first Taliban regime in 2001.

Taliban seize two more Afghan provincial capitals in northern blitz

The UN Security Council has condemned "in the strongest terms" a series of "heinous and cowardly" attacks aimed at security checkpoints in northern Afghanistan, saying perpetrators and sponsors of these terror acts should be brought to justice.

The terror attacks Monday night killed at least 27 and wounded dozens of others. The assaults were carried out by Taliban extremists in the provinces of Sar-e-Pul and Balkh, striking security forces in three areas.

Describing the attacks as "heinous and cowardly", the "members of the Security Council expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government of Afghanistan and they wished a speedy and full recovery to those who were injured," the UNSC said in a statement on Thursday.

Council members "reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security", and underlined the need "to hold perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice."

They called on all States "to cooperate actively with the Government of Afghanistan and all other relevant authorities" to help end the cycle of violence in the country.

The attacks on New Year's Eve came a day after the announcement by Afghan electoral authorities of a new date for planned presidential elections, which had been scheduled to take place on April 20. Elections will now be held in July this year.

In a statement, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) had said that "the United Nations understands that the new date announced by the Independent Election Commission (IEC) follows consultations with a broad range of political actors, civil society organizations, and the Government of Afghanistan, all of whom have expressed the strong desire for a credible and transparent presidential election."

"The United Nations acknowledges the IEC's assessment that additional time is needed in order to learn from the 2018 parliamentary elections and adequately prepare," said UNAMA.&nbsp;

The terror attacks Monday night killed at least 27 and wounded dozens of others.

The UN Security Council has condemned "in the strongest terms" a series of "heinous and cowardly" attacks aimed at security checkpoints in northern Afghanistan, saying perpetrators and sponsors of these terror acts should be brought to justice. The terror attacks Monday night killed at least 27 and wounded dozens of others. The assaults were carried out by Taliban extremists in the provinces of Sar-e-Pul and Balkh, striking security forces in three areas. Describing the attacks as "heinous and cowardly", the "members of the Security Council expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government of Afghanistan and they wished a speedy and full recovery to those who were injured," the UNSC said in a statement on Thursday. Council members "reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security", and underlined the need "to hold perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice." They called on all States "to cooperate actively with the Government of Afghanistan and all other relevant authorities" to help end the cycle of violence in the country. The attacks on New Year's Eve came a day after the announcement by Afghan electoral authorities of a new date for planned presidential elections, which had been scheduled to take place on April 20. Elections will now be held in July this year. In a statement, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) had said that "the United Nations understands that the new date announced by the Independent Election Commission (IEC) follows consultations with a broad range of political actors, civil society organizations, and the Government of Afghanistan, all of whom have expressed the strong desire for a credible and transparent presidential election." "The United Nations acknowledges the IEC's assessment that additional time is needed in order to learn from the 2018 parliamentary elections and adequately prepare," said UNAMA.

Security Council condemns New Year's Eve attack on Afghan security forces

Parts of Afghanistan provinces are facing a serious threat of severe drought that could affect the lives of almost one million people living in the area said a recent statement released by United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund.

The statement reads, "the extremely dry winter has affected 22 provinces across Afghanistan and now threatens to negatively impact the lives of one million people, with an additional two million who could feel its effects over the coming months".

According to the statement 23-30 per cent of water sources have gone dry. Food insecurity and reduced access to safe water are beginning to take their toll in the 10 worst affected provinces, where 20 to 30 percent of water sources are reportedly dry. The impact on children could be devastating, as these areas have pre-existing high rates of malnutrition. Without adequate nutritious food and safe water for drinking, as well as for hygiene and sanitation, children’s health will only worsen.&nbsp;

Afghanistan reportedly received lowest snowfall and rain in years this winter.

According to reports, at least 20 to 34 provinces are already suffering severely and the situation is expected to worsen even further.

Hashamnt Khan Bahaduri spokesperson for the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority in Kabul was quoted by Reuters saying that "this year drought has reached a level that we will have to announce an emergency in several parts of the country."

He further informed that the country might need to import or receive donations to overcome food shortages.

Afghanistan has been experiencing frequent seasons in recent decades.&nbsp;

Inadequate rains and snowfall during 2008 to 2010 in parts of Afghanistan caused significant failure of the rain-fed crops in the six provinces: Herat, Jawzjan, Balkh, Badghis, Faryab and Sar-e-Pul. The situation affected the most vulnerable populations and their access to food and water, reducing communities' health and nutrition status.&nbsp;

However, following the heavy snow in 2012 long drought ended.

(With inputs from Reuters)

The extremely dry winter has affected 22 provinces across Afghanistan and now threatens to negatively impact the lives of one million people, with an additional two million who could feel its effects over the coming months

Parts of Afghanistan provinces are facing a serious threat of severe drought that could affect the lives of almost one million people living in the area said a recent statement released by United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund. The statement reads, "the extremely dry winter has affected 22 provinces across Afghanistan and now threatens to negatively impact the lives of one million people, with an additional two million who could feel its effects over the coming months". According to the statement 23-30 per cent of water sources have gone dry. Food insecurity and reduced access to safe water are beginning to take their toll in the 10 worst affected provinces, where 20 to 30 percent of water sources are reportedly dry. The impact on children could be devastating, as these areas have pre-existing high rates of malnutrition. Without adequate nutritious food and safe water for drinking, as well as for hygiene and sanitation, children’s health will only worsen. Afghanistan reportedly received lowest snowfall and rain in years this winter. According to reports, at least 20 to 34 provinces are already suffering severely and the situation is expected to worsen even further. Hashamnt Khan Bahaduri spokesperson for the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority in Kabul was quoted by Reuters saying that "this year drought has reached a level that we will have to announce an emergency in several parts of the country." He further informed that the country might need to import or receive donations to overcome food shortages. Afghanistan has been experiencing frequent seasons in recent decades. Inadequate rains and snowfall during 2008 to 2010 in parts of Afghanistan caused significant failure of the rain-fed crops in the six provinces: Herat, Jawzjan, Balkh, Badghis, Faryab and Sar-e-Pul. The situation affected the most vulnerable populations and their access to food and water, reducing communities' health and nutrition status. However, following the heavy snow in 2012 long drought ended. (With inputs from Reuters)

One million lives at stake as Afghanistan is hit by drought

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Taliban seize two more Afghan provincial capitals in northern blitz

Security Council condemns New Year's Eve attack on Afghan security forces

One million lives at stake as Afghanistan is hit by drought