The Taliban has taken two more provincial capitals. They control eight out of thirty-four total, with many more under siege. Most of the southwest and Northeast are under Taliban control.
Another notable development is that government workers in Kandahar, the second-largest city, are being evacuated to the airport en masse. The Taliban have been fighting security forces outside the city for weeks. Taliban entered the city once before and freed prisoners from a jail. However, they evacuated afterward.
The Taliban claims to control over 50% of all districts in Afghanistan.
It is clear that since the US invasion, the Taliban has made dramatic gains in winning support among the Tajiks and Uzbeks, their former enemies.
Kunduz, 5th largest city, 374k, capital of Kunduz province, mostly Pashtun
Taliban had been entering Kunduz in large numbers since 2015 and appears to have major support in the city. Until August 11th, the Afghan army still controlled the large and Kunduz airport. The airport is at a high elevation south of city and was supposed to be easily defendable. However, it was officially announced that the airport has fallen today. The Taliban also announced that capture of Ali Abad districtm today, which gives them control of the entire province. The USA airforce is bombing Taliban targets in the city.
Sheberghan, 176k, capital of Jowzjan Province, mostly Uzbek
Sheberghan was allegedly taken with little or no fight. Afghan security forces are said to have ditched their uniforms and deserted. This is considered the second most important Uzbek city. The head of the Province is said to have defected to the Taliban.
Aybak, 120k, capital of Samangan Province, two-thirds Tajik and one third Uzbek
Formerly a center of resistance to the Taliban in the 90s.
Taloqan, 64k, capital of Takhar Province, mostly Uzbek
Taliban forces entered the city and freed prisoners from the jail. Security forces are said to have mostly fled.
Puli Khumri, 60k, capital of the Baghlan Province, Uzbek, and Tajik
The Taliban took the city on August 10th after days of fighting.
Farah, 54k, capital of Farah Province, majority Pashtun. Tajiks are the second largest group.
Taliban seized Farah on August 10th. The governor of Farah declared that security forces were repelling the Taliban and then five hours later said the city had fallen.
Zaranj, 50k, capital of Nimruz Province, Nearly half Baloch, with Pashtun the second largest ethnic group
Taliban is said to have taken the city with little or no fight.
Fayzabad, 50k, capital of Badakhshan Province, Majority Tajik
The Taliban seized the city on August 11th after several days of fighting.
