KABUL: Fighting is raging around three major Afghan cities in the country’s southern and western region as Taliban fighters seek to seize them from government forces.

Taliban fighters have entered parts of Lashkar Gah, Herat and Kandahar, BBC has reported.

The fighters have made gains in rural areas in the districts since it was announced almost all foreign troops would go by September.

The Taliban is already thought to have captured up to half of all Afghanistan’s territory, including lucrative border crossings with Iran and Pakistan, according to BBC.

Insurgents were reportedly a few hundred meters from the governor’s office In Lashkar Gah – but had been pushed back by nightfall, the report said.

In Herat, clashes had intensified, with Taliban fighters entering southern parts of the city.

There are reports of fighting in at least five different locations.

(With inputs from BBC)