Taliban capture nine out of 10 districts of the Helmand provincial capital as Afghan government forces defend city with airstrikes, backed by the U.S.
This translation has been automatically generated and has not been verified for accuracy.Afghan Special forces patrol a deserted street during fighting with Taliban fighters, in Lashkar Gah, Helmand province, southern Afghanistan, on Aug. 3, 2021. The Taliban pressed ahead with their advances in southern Afghanistan on Tuesday, capturing nine out of 10 districts of the Helmand provincial capital, residents and officials said.
Majid Akhund, deputy chairman of the Helmand provincial council, confirmed that the Taliban control nine Lashkar Gah districts and also the city’s TV and radio station, which had both gone off the air. Lashkar Gah is one of three provincial capitals under siege by the Taliban as they stepped up their onslaught against government forces. In recent months the Taliban swept through dozens of districts across the country, many in remote and rural, sparsely populated areas.
The Taliban have most recently turned their guns on provincial capitals as the withdrawal of the U.S. and NATO forces is now more than 95% complete. The final U.S. and NATO soldier are expected to be out of Afghanistan by Aug. 31. Afghanistan’s air force has been seriously hurt by the American and NATO withdrawal, which included contractors who had maintained the fleet of fighter aircraft. Washington’s watchdog overseeing U.S. taxpayers dollars spent in Afghanistan said the Afghan aircraft are flying 25 per cent longer than they should before being maintained.
“With any bomb that hits the city, my 13- year-old son jumps and yells,” said Mohammad Khan, a resident of Lashkar Gah. He had moved half of his family out of the city and was trying to evacuate the other half out before the fighting pinned him down.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Canada women’s soccer exacts Tokyo Olympic revenge against the United States after being robbed at London 2012Canada advances to the Tokyo Olympic women’s soccer final to play for gold
Read more »
Aaron Brown and Andre De Grasse one step closer to Olympic track medalsBoth sprinters advanced automatically to the semifinals at the Tokyo Olympics on Tuesday
Read more »
Fearing Taliban reprisals, former Afghan interpreters call on Canada to help relativesSome who previously came to Canada say the government has been opaque about whether those relatives are eligible
Read more »
Langlois leads charge as several Canadians advance to canoe/kayak semisIt was a good first day on the water for Canada's canoe/kayak team at the Tokyo Olympics on Monday as three of five boats qualified for the semifinals at the Sea Forest Waterway.
Read more »