Taliban on brink of taking key Afghan city as residents told to flee

[Eugene]

Source: The Guardian

Taliban on brink of taking key Afghan city as residents told to flee

Officials confirm all but one district of Lashkar Gah is under hardline Islamists’ control after fierce fighting

Akhtar Mohammad Makoii in Herat and Peter Beaumont
Tue 3 Aug 2021 17.27 BST

Taliban fighters appeared to be on the brink of overrunning the key Afghan provincial capital of Lashkar Gah, as officials confirmed all but one district of the city was under the hardline Islamists’ control and residents were ordered to evacuate.

Majid Akhund, the deputy chairman of the Helmand provincial council, said the Taliban had taken control of nine Lashkar Gah districts, as the Afghan government and US aircraft pounded their positions with strikes.

Gen Sami Sadat, an Afghan commander leading the military efforts in Helmand, told residents to flee. “Please leave as soon as possible so that we can start our operation,” he said in a message to the city of 200,000 people. “I know it is very difficult for you to leave your houses – it is hard for us too – but if you are displaced for a few days, please forgive us. We are fighting the Taliban wherever they are … We will not leave a single Talib alive.”

The Taliban advances came as the Afghan president, Ashraf Ghani, blamed the hasty withdrawal of US and Nato troops for the deteriorating security situation across the country.

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Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/aug/03/fears-for-afghan-city-of-lashkar-gah-as-fierce-clashes-continue