KABUL: The Taliban fighters have claimed the capture of Afghanistan’s second-largest city, Kandahar.
The city was once the Taliban’s stronghold, and is strategically important as a leading trade hub, BBC has reported.
Reports said that several cities fell in the most dramatic string of victories yet.
Meanwhile, the United States said it is sending nearly 3,000 troops back into Afghanistan to help evacuate staff from the American embassy, according to BBC.
It said it was sending troops to the airport in Kabul to help evacuate a “significant” number of embassy staff on special flights.
Likewise, the UK said it was also deploying about 600 troops on a short-term basis to provide support to British nationals leaving the country.
The Taliban have moved quickly, seizing new territories as US and other foreign troops withdraw after 20 years of military operations.
According to a Taliban spokesman, “Kandahar is completely conquered”, but this has not been confirmed.
(With inputs from BBC)
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