The Taliban’s lightning-fast advance across Afghanistan has created a smattering of government-controlled islands in the nation’s middle and east, as well as the capital Kabul.
Few experts believe security forces will be able to retake Taliban-held territory, at least hold Kabul. In only one week, insurgents have taken control of ten major towns, its most significant of which being Ghazni City. Herat, the nation’s third-largest municipality, has also been ravaged.
60% of Afganistan is Now Under the Taliban Control
As per the Long War Journal’s map of faction control, the militants now hold 242 of Afghanistan’s over 400 regions, or about 60%, with some other 100 constituencies deemed challenged. According to the Long War Journal graphic, just 65 are still in state control.
Praying for Afganistan . Those people have already suffered a lot , I pray they don’t have to suffer again .
— Sumit (@sumitsaurabh) August 12, 2021
Just at end of April, the militants held roughly 20% of provinces, just days after President Joe Biden announced the departure of the USA’s 3,000 soldiers by Sept 11. Most of the disputed territory, including many vital border crossings, has been controlled by Taliban forces ever since.
In May, FDD Senior Researcher Bill Roggio, publisher of FDD’s Long War Journal, predicted that Afghanistan’s war will conclude quickly.
He noted that In the aftermath of a fast Taliban onslaught, the security environment swiftly starts to deteriorate, resulting in the breakdown of the democratic Afghan government, as well as the Army.
In very little time, the Taliban has confiscated control of the government areas in the, east, and west, and now drives hard to take Kabul and the rest of Afganistan.
Sir this was the largest stance available to us to make security handover agreement with #Afganistan. Why we are not doing !
Our support is huge also. Our ancient territory must be brought back. https://t.co/Bk94JP8snG
— Vipul Patle (@VipulPatle) August 13, 2021
The Taliban Advance Began Right After the US and NATO Withdrawl
The Taliban’s statewide push comes as US and Nato allies prepare to depart Afghanistan just at end of this month. Although the US military has carried out some bombings with the assistance of their government, the Afghan Conventional Force has had to battle the Taliban on its own.
Biden and his top officials have publicly expressed their support for the Afghan National Army (ANA) and the Kabul administration, which is presently commanded by President Ashraf Ghani. However, indications from inside the White House and the Pentagon suggest a much harsher atmosphere.
You don't need to be a muslim to stand for Afganistan, just be a human. Innocents there are in huge chaos, dying everyday, their property is being destroyed, families are scattering. Maybe what doesn't seems our problem today could be tomorrow.#Afghan_lives_matter pic.twitter.com/N4i6hczaRo
— Krrishika Nim (@Krrishikanim_) August 13, 2021
The Biden government is planning for Kabul to topple in 90 days of the US pullout on August 31, according to the Washington Post.
According to rumors on Thursday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin urged Ghani to leave, but the State Department later denied the accusations.
In a move to end the violence, Ghani’s ceasefire negotiators in Doha, Qatar, are said to have proposed the Taliban a ceasefire sharing plan. The Taliban maintains its commitment to peace talks and just doesn’t want the administration in Kabul to fall, according to a spokesman, but its forces continue to progress across the nation.
The besieged administration is being further weakened by a regular trickle of films showing the Taliban’s march. Fighters are said to have stormed police stations, taken possession of the governor’s office in Ghazni, and beefed up security in their newly conquered region, according to footage.
