Taleban Controls City 150km Near Kabul, Capital of Afghanistan

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] The Islamic militant group Taliban, which has been rapidly expanding its occupied territories in Afghanistan following the withdrawal of U.S. troops, has seized control of a strategic city only 150 km away from the capital, Kabul.

AFP reported on the 12th (local time), citing a local lawmaker, that the Taliban had taken over the city of Ghazni, located southwest of Kabul.

Ghazni, with a population of 140,000, is a key transportation hub situated between Kabul and the southern major city Kandahar.

Nasir Ahmad Fakiri, chairman of the Ghazni provincial council, stated that day, "The Taliban have taken control of major areas in Ghazni, including the governor's residence, police station, and prison," which was officially confirmed by the Afghan Ministry of Interior.

AP reported, citing government officials, that Taliban flags were planted throughout Ghazni city, and Taliban fighters were seen riding on looted military vehicles, speeding through the streets.

As a result, the number of provinces out of Afghanistan's total 34 that the Taliban control has increased to 10 in less than a week.

The U.S. government's declaration of the end of the Afghan war and the complete withdrawal of stationed troops by the end of this month has accelerated the Taliban's offensive dramatically.

On the same day, AP reported that the Taliban succeeded in seizing a police station in Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand province in the southwest.

As the Taliban's offensive advances at a frightening speed, warnings have emerged among U.S. administration officials that the fall of Kabul could occur sooner than expected.

One official told the Washington Post (WP) the day before that the U.S. military now assesses that the capital could fall within 90 days, while another official mentioned that this could happen within a month.

Cornered, the Afghan government officially proposed a power-sharing arrangement with the Taliban, Sputnik News reported that day.

According to the report, the Afghan government conveyed this proposal in Doha, Qatar, on the condition that the Taliban halt violence.

Doha hosts the Taliban's political office, which serves as their external liaison, and since last September, the Afghan government and the Taliban have held several peace negotiations there, but no significant progress has been achieved yet.

The Taliban lost power after refusing the U.S. demand to hand over Osama bin Laden following the September 11, 2001 attacks, which led to the U.S. invasion. Since then, they have been engaged in a 20-year war with government forces and others.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.