The Taliban are already close to Kabul – El Sol de México

Kabul. Taliban forces have captured a large city in northern Afghanistan, causing Afghan forces to flee and locking down Kabul as Western countries scrambled to evacuate their citizens from the capital.

The fall of Mazar-i-Sharif, the second most important city in the country, was confirmed by the authorities, numbering 23, and meant another major victory for the militants, who occupied a large part of the country in recent years. Weeks before the withdrawal of US forces. Kabul and Jalalabad, in the east of the country, are the only two major cities not under Taliban control.

US President Joe Biden said he would send 5,000 troops to help evacuate citizens and ensure an “orderly and safe” reduction in military personnel, but not before threatening the Taliban with a “quick and strong response.” evacuation mission.

Afzal Hadid, head of the Balkh Provincial Council, said that security forces in Mazar-i-Sharif were fleeing towards the border with Uzbekistan.

Thousands of Afghans fled the provinces for the capital, driven out by the fighting and afraid to return to an Islamic regime, with the collapse of the Afghan government’s resistance.

Meanwhile, the displaced were crowded into tents or open skies on roadsides and in car parks.

President Ashraf Ghani held urgent talks with local leaders and international partners, but showed no signs of responding to the Taliban’s demand for his resignation as a condition to talk of a ceasefire.