Kandahar Collapses - Afghan Collapse Accelerates as 2 Vital Cities Are Falling to the Taliban

[ansible]

KABUL, Afghanistan — Two major cities in western and southern Afghanistan were on the verge of collapse to the Taliban on Thursday, as the insurgency’s race to seize control of the country accelerated. With the Taliban’s sudden gains in Kandahar, in the country’s southern Pashtun heartland, and Herat, a vital cultural and economic hub, the insurgents appear to be nearing a complete military takeover. Only four major cities — including the capital, Kabul — remain under government control, and two of them are under siege by the Taliban.

Both cities were heavily defended, in battles that raged for weeks. But increasingly, the Afghan security forces appear to be collapsing, with many soldiers and policemen reported to be deserting, or even changing sides in some places. Both cities offer resonant victories for the Taliban, which have swept across the country in a brutal military campaign since international troops began withdrawing in May. The insurgents now control over half of the country’s 400-odd districts. And with the fall of Kandahar and Herat, along with another provincial capital south of Kabul, Ghazni — all on Thursday — the insurgents will control 12 provincial capitals.

Kandahar, in particular, is a huge prize for the Taliban. It is the economic hub of southern Afghanistan, and it was the birthplace of the insurgency in the 1990s and served as the militant’s capital during their five-year rule. By seizing the city, the Taliban can effectively proclaim a return to power, if not complete control.

For weeks, a mix of Afghan army, commando and special police units have desperately tried to hold Kandahar city as it came under Taliban siege. But on Thursday, Taliban fighters broke through nearly every frontline surrounding the city, according to members of the security forces. They also overran Kandahar’s central prison on Wednesday, freeing hundreds of inmates, using a strategy of swelling their ranks practiced for well over a decade.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/12/world/asia/kandahar-afghanistan-taliban.html

[greenjar_01]

1. It's over, Johnny

Nothing left but the helicopters on the roof.

[sboatcar]

2. What else did anyone expect to happen there?

It wasn't a matter of if the whole thing was going to come tumbling down, just on who's watch it was going to happen. I'm sad for the afghan people, but at some point they need to throw the taliban out.

[stillcool]

3. foregone conclusion

back to where it began. Hope all invested parties got what they went for.

[robbob]

30. I can think of at least one party who got what they wanted.

Military Industrial Complex. $$$$

[stillcool]

33. yeah...those bombs don't sell themselves

[Xoan]

4. Helluva a job.

[Rustyeye77]

5. We've seen this movie before.

We may feel good today but when terrorism starts again, we're going to be back in in a few years...or less.

I hope and pray for the Afghan people. They are so doomed.

Those poor young girls and women. Those poor boys too.

I love Joe Biden but he signaled his withdrawal and that may have been a mistake.

I only hope some Calvary comes over the hill in the form a multi-national force but my hope is fading.

[marie999]

7. You can't help a country that won't help itself.

[Rustyeye77]

9. With all due respect

I know the words Nation Building is an anathma but look at the total picture

1.The have voting
2, the have an elected govt
3. Women were in elected office
4. Women were working in the private sector
5. Young girls went to school and loved it
6. Boys went to school and not those terrorist producing madrassas.
7. Young girls weren’t made in taliban sex slaves.
8. They had freedoms they did not have under the taliban

Was it perfect ? No but soon all those things will be gone.

It’s not the people’s fault their army sucks.

I feel terrible for those innocent people. And those poor girls.

And I may be alone but even after 20 years, the thought of those people suffering is heart wrenching .

I guess I’m a bleeding heart person.

[marie999]

11. It is the people's fault because it is the people who make up the military.

If the people who want a free country would enlist in the military and fight to keep their freedom maybe we wouldn't have had to spend 20 years there.

[Rustyeye77]

12. Ok

I tried to appeal to you with humanity and facts.

I failed. I’m sorry.

No need to reply.

Thank you.

[JI7]

16. But what was allowing all of that was the superior Military force of the US

[edhopper]

22. So

Why can't these people, with the full support of the US, keep this?
Why is the Taliban stronger and more adept at taking control?

[LanternWaste]

8. Will he tea?

Pretty sure we have seen this movie. Return of the something or other I think it was called.

[a kennedy]

19. I know,.......so worry about them, the women and young girls. 😢 😢 😢 😢 😢

[hamsterjill]

6. What's the status of getting the interpreters out?

I’ve not seen anything on that covered recently. Anyone know? TIA.

[ansible]

29. They're screwed, there's barely enough time to even evacuate our own people

[hamsterjill]

31. I thought there were some that had already been brought out

Yes, the majority are screwed and I think that’s horrible. Another blight on America.

I thought there were a few, at least, that had already been brought to Washington.

[kentuck]

10. And as we speak, one might imagine...

...that the Taliban leaders are on their new cell phones, directing all their forces to gather around Kabul in two or three weeks. They will declare themselves the new rulers of the most cruel and inhumane country in the world.

[Red Mountain]

13. Am I wrong in saying

that Pakistan enabled this?

I get it to some extent.......siphon off the worst elements of their own society to the (now) new/old playground.

What do they gain?

[albacore]

14. Anybody else having deja vu all over again?

[Shanti Shanti Shanti]

15. Oh yeah, i been saying it for days, goodbye Saigon, dont wait for the last helicopter leaving!

Embassies should all be evacuated immediately

[JI7]

17. Yes. but the people of Vietnam were still far better off than Afghanistan

Vietnam is a tourist destination these days.

[Arazi]

27. Yes dammit

[jalan48]

18. For some interests it was a money maker.

[Johnny2X2X]

20. I think this was the plan

Deal with the Taliban when they take over.

[dsp3000]

21. Mark my words. This is bidens albatross. It's going to derail everything

[Tarc]

24. "concern" noted

[Arazi]

28. +1 million. If the GOP don't weaponize this in the next 3 days

Then it's only a matter of time.

Wait until the female journalists/doctors/teachers are executed, buried up to their necks, in full burka by a rage-filled crowd in the old soccer stadium.

Brace yourself. It's coming

[Tarc]

23. Not our problem, we're not the World's Police Force. We (the DU) fought the neocons

on this point daily, back in the day.

[Calculating]

25. Afghanistan will still be a hellhole 100 years from now

You can't help people who won't help themselves. We spent 20 years training the afghan army and giving them equipment and they're all just throwing down their arms and surrendering to the Taliban. Probably over half of them ARE the Taliban and joined up to infiltrate the army and wait for us to leave.

[CRK7376]

26. This is painful...

Our BN HQ was berthed and supplied from Khandahar, while my team spent most of our time in Urzugan Province, seemed like we were in the Stone Age...a grand total of 6 residences had power from small portable generators 24/7 amongst the Afghan people in our small village. I know because we checked each of them. Lots of pain in that part of what can be a beautiful country, if you like the mountains...

[tenderfoot]

32. I seems that Afghans aren't up to fighting and killing other Afghans. Taliban or not.

[SweetieD]

34. The general public there probably supports them.