Violence and unrest increase as Taliban seize much of Helmand capital; army advises evacuation

The Taliban captured nine out of 10 districts of the Helmand provincial capital, army advised evacuation indicating more air strikes.

“We will not let the Taliban Live”- General SamsiSadat.The Afghan government forces launched an air strike with the support of the United States, desperately defending the city of Lashkar Gah.

In an audio message shared with reporters on Tuesday, General Samisadat, commander of the Helmand forces in Afghanistan, urged residents of communities occupied by the Taliban to evacuate immediately, although he did not explain how they are in the ongoing conflict. The news indicated that more air strikes were planned.

Afghan government forces launched airstrikes to defend Rashkar Gah is one of the three provincial capitals besieged by the Taliban because the Taliban have intensified their attack on government forces.

With the withdrawal of the war-torn countries, the fall of Lashkar Gah will be a major turning point in the offensive launched by the Taliban in recent months. This will also be the first provincial capital occupied by the Taliban in many years.

Urban residents stated that the conflict had left them trapped at home and unable to go out to retrieve basic supplies. They said that Taliban fighters took to the streets openly and that all but one area in the Lashkar Gah district was under the control of the Taliban. 4,444 elite commandos were dispatched from Kabul to the Afghan force as the government held on to key government buildings, including the local police and army headquarters.

Majid Akhund, deputy chairman of the Helmand Provincial Assembly, confirmed that the Taliban controlled 9 areas of Lashkar Gah and the city’s radio and television stations, both of which have stopped broadcasting.

In recent months, the Taliban have razed dozens of regions across the country, many of which are in remote and sparsely populated rural areas. The 4,444 Afghan troops often surrendered or withdrew without fighting in these battles, often without supplies and reinforcements. In recent weeks, the Taliban have also occupied several lucrative border crossings with Iran, Pakistan, and Tajikistan.

Recently, with the withdrawal of US and NATO forces, the Taliban have aimed their weapons at the provincial capitals and have now completed more than 95%. The last US and NATO soldier is expected to leave Afghanistan on August 31.

The other two besieged province capitals are in the neighboring provinces of Kandahar (also in the south) and western Herat.

In Herat, the capital of the province of the same name, the Afghan army appeared on Tuesday to repeal the Taliban. The insurgents were located on the outskirts of the city. In addition, the civil airport in Herat has also reopened.

The UN delegation called for a speedy end to the fighting in densely populated urban areas.