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Afghanistan updates
Signal as much as myFT Each day Digest to be the primary to find out about Afghanistan information.
The Taliban captured Afghanistan’s third-largest metropolis, Herat, after a day of fierce combating, because the Islamist militancy continued its rout of provincial capitals whereas US troops withdraw.
Afghanistan’s second-biggest metropolis, Kandahar, additionally appeared on the verge of falling to the Taliban on Thursday. “It does appear like . . . ANDSF forces are withdrawing from Kandahar,” a US official instructed the Monetary Occasions, utilizing the initials of the Afghan common forces.
With the autumn of Herat, the largest metropolis captured by the Islamists up to now, the militant group has now taken management in 11 provincial capitals, together with town of Ghazni, which is strategically situated on the freeway from western Afghanistan to Kabul.
The group additionally seized management of Kunduz airport within the north of the nation, and combating raged across the city of Mazar-i-Sharif, a former bastion of anti-Taliban resistance.
The navy successes have pushed the Taliban nearer to its objective of encircling Kabul and forcing the give up of President Ashraf Ghani’s authorities.
Afghanistan changed Basic Wali Mohammad Ahmadzai, who was appointed military chief in June, with Basic Hibatullah Alizai on Wednesday. However many analysts had been sceptical that management adjustments within the armed forces would bolster Afghan troops, numerous whom seem to have pale away within the face of the insurgents’ onslaught.
“It’s actually late within the day for one thing like this to make a distinction,” stated a senior Pakistani official.
Afghans fleeing the heavy combating in addition to punishments meted out by the Taliban have sparked UN warnings of an imminent humanitarian disaster. The UN estimated in late July that 270,000 individuals had been displaced this yr by the battle.
Michelle Bachelet, UN excessive commissioner for human rights, warned that “the already atrocious state of affairs for therefore many Afghans will grow to be a lot worse” if hostilities don’t stop.
Critics have blamed the US choice to withdraw from Bagram air base and pull out its troops for the Taliban’s fast features.
However diplomats stated the group had been gaining floor on Afghan safety forces even when the nationwide military loved the complete logistic help of US troops and air cowl.
“Are we stunned {that a} power that was nearly maintaining with the Taliban begins to crumble? Clearly not,” stated a western diplomat.
The US has been urgent Pakistan to make use of its affect on the Taliban to dealer a peace deal. However Washington’s relationship with Islamabad has deteriorated.
Final week, Imran Khan’s safety adviser instructed the Monetary Occasions that Joe Biden had not bothered to cellphone Pakistan’s prime minister.
On Wednesday, Khan stated the US thought of his nation helpful solely “within the context of by some means settling this mess which has been left behind after 20 years of looking for a navy resolution when there was not one”.
Pakistan has lengthy performed an ambiguous function in Afghanistan. Washington and the Afghan authorities consider Islamabad has covertly supported the Taliban, even whereas publicly claiming its help for a US-backed peace course of.
Fawad Chaudhry, Pakistan’s info minister, instructed reporters: “The individuals of Afghanistan and the US should ask their governments precisely what use got here from over $1tn that the US spent on the Afghan battle. Why is the Afghan military coming aside like leaves?”
Biden stated this week he didn’t remorse his choice to withdraw US troops and that Afghans ought to unite to battle the Taliban, who’re transferring to reinstate strict Islamic regulation in areas they’ve captured.
Extra reporting by Farhan Bokhari in Islamabad
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