Taliban Takes Over Kandahar, U.S. Troops Being Sent to Help

Last night the Taliban seized Kandahar, Afghanistan’s second-largest city. In a statement this morning, the Taliban said they had taken control of the governor’s office, police headquarters and key operational centers throughout the city as well as seized ‘hundreds of weapons, vehicles and ammunition.” An afghan member of parliament Gul Ahmad Kamin said he and others had made their way to a military base close to the city’s airport and were waiting for a flight out. According to Kamin, Taliban fighters were able to break through the city’s frontline and engage in sporadic confrontation with government forces.

Kandahar was formerly a major hub for U.S. military operations and it’s seizure marks the most significant gain yet for the Taliban which currently has control of at least 14 of the county’s 34 provincial capitals. The majority of the Taliban’s gains have come since President Biden announced the withdrawal of American forces, which began in May. Biden announced yesterday that the United States is sending over 3,000 troops back to Afghanistan to assist with the departure of embassy staff after urging American citizens to leave the country immediately.