The Taliban’s advance in Afghanistan seems unstoppable. Day by day, Taliban fighters make new gains on different fronts while the Afghan military can’t keep up with the pace. With Kunduz, another important and strategic city has fallen into the hands of the Taliban.

The Taliban continues its advance in different parts of Afghanistan. Following the withdrawal of all foreign troops from the country, the Taliban captures one provincial capital after the other. Kunduz is the latest link in this chain. The city which had been under the siege of the Taliban for a long time has finally been captured by the fighters.

This was confirmed by both government officials and media sources close to the Taliban. Abdulahad Torial Kakar, a member of the city’s provincial council said they had left the city, but added that fighting over the control of the airport continues. A Taliban spokesperson pointed out they had captured the city and all government officials had fled. According to the official news agency of the Taliban, a large amount of heavy and light weapons, ammunition, armoured vehicles and other military equipment was seized by the Taliban in Kunduz.

Local media outlets close to the Taliban published footage showing Taliban fighters in the city center and the building of the National Directorate of Security (NDS).

But Kunduz is not the only provincial capital that is now under the control of the Taliban. Other provincial capitals to quickly fall into the hands of Taliban fighters were Shebergan, Zaranj, Sar-e-Pol and Taloqan. Within only three days, the Taliban has seized control of five provincial capitals and more is expected to come.

Together with Taloqan, its latest „conquest“, the Taliban also captured the Takhar Central Prison, releasing hundreds of prisoners. Afghan security sources confirmed that Taliban has taken control of Taloqan while footage from the city center showed a large number of Taliban fighters.

Meanwhile, US President Biden reportedly ordered the US military to attack Taliban positions with B-52 bombers and AC-130 Spectre gunships in an attempt to prevent the insurgents from capturing more cities.