Staunchly defending the hasty withdrawal of the American troops from Afghanistan, United States President Joe Biden said it was time for Washington to shift its focus towards “powerful adversaries” such as Russia and China In his address to the nation from the White House on Tuesday, Biden said, “My fellow Americans, the war in Afghanistan is now over.

Biden draws curtain on Afghanistan, shifts focus to 'powerful adversaries' China, Russia

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.

Another Afghan provincial capital falls: Taliban seize Ghazni near Kabul

Amid fighting in Afghanistan, reports said at least 1,000 Afghan troops have fled to Tajikistan after facing defeat against the Taliban even as US troops continue to their pullout.

Hundreds of Afghan troops flee to Tajikistan as Taliban advances

The White House said on Friday that US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan will be completed by the "end of August". "We expect it to be completed by the end of August," press secretary Jen Psaki said.

US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan to be completed by end August: White House

About 5,000 Afghan families have fled their homes in Kunduz after days of fighting between the Taliban and government forces, officials said Saturday, with the insurgents continuing to surround the key northern city.

Thousands displaced by fighting around northern Afghan city

Kabul could be captured by the Taliban within a year as US forces withdraw from Afghanistan, but its fall is not inevitable and will depend on a much better-run Afghan defence force, US experts say.

Taliban takeover of Afghanistan not inevitable: US experts

At least two explosions were reported in Afghanistan's Bamiyan at a local market near a hotel in the city centre. Reports said two magnetic bombs exploded killing at least two people and wounding six others.

Twin blasts in market in Afghanistan's Bamiyan; at least 2 killed

US troop strength in Afghanistan is down to nearly 8,600, well ahead of a schedule agreed with Taliban militants in late February, in part because of concerns about the spread of the coronavirus.

US troop strength in Afghanistan down to almost 8,600 ahead of schedule

The Taliban on Sunday vowed to continue attacking US troops in Afghanistan until a peace deal is sealed. "Until there is no agreement with the US we will continue the attacks on US troops, and we do not talk to the Kabul administration under the government`s title and we have denied such talks before," Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the militant group, told Sputnik.

Taliban vows to continue attack on US troop until peace deal is sealed

A proposed peace deal would see the United States withdraw thousands of troops from Afghanistan in exchange for promises from the Taliban that it would renounce Al-Qaeda, US media reported on Thursday.

Afghanistan peace deal would see US troop numbers slashed: Reports

The US military is about to pull most troops out of Syria, seems set to slash its Afghanistan presence, and is engaged in a contentious mission on the border with Mexico.

How Shanahan may end up as permanent Pentagon chief

Global Leadership Series: Former Afghan president Hamid Karzai speaks exclusively to WION

Pakistan on Saturday welcomed President Donald Trump's decision to slash US troop numbers in Afghanistan, calling it a step towards peace in the war-torn nation.

US troop withdrawal 'step forward' in Afghan peace effort: Pak foreign minister Qureshi

President Donald Trump has decided to pull a significant number of troops from Afghanistan, a US official told AFP on Thursday, a day after he announced a withdrawal from Syria.

Trump to cut troops in Afghanistan: US official