Taliban Capture Faizabad, Hundreds Of Afghan Soldiers Surrender

The Afghan Taliban have captured Faizabad, the capital of Badakhshan. This is the Taliban’s capture of the ninth provincial capital in less than a week.

A member of the provincial assembly has confirmed the Taliban’s capture, according to the French news agency AFP.

Meanwhile, according to Afghan media, Afghan Army Chief General Wali Mohammad Ahmadzai has been removed from his post and replaced by General Hebatullah Alizai, but the Afghan government has not yet confirmed the news.

Regarding the capture of Faizabad, Zabihullah Atiq, a member of the provincial assembly, said, “Last night, the security forces, who had been fighting the Taliban for several days, came under intense pressure.”

The Taliban have now taken control of the city. Both sides have suffered heavy losses.

Meanwhile, a local Kunduz lawmaker said that hundreds of Afghan soldiers who had retreated near the airport outside Kunduz after the Taliban took control of the northern city over the weekend had surrendered.

“Soldiers, police and militiamen have surrendered to the Taliban with their military equipment,” said Amaruddin Wali, a member of the Kunduz provincial assembly.
It may be recalled that the Afghan Taliban had captured Pul-e-Khumri, the eighth provincial capital of the country, yesterday. Pul-e-Khumri is the capital of Baghlan province. It is located north of Kabul province.

Mamoor Ahmadzai, a member of Baghlan’s provincial council, and an army officer confirmed the capture, while Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid also confirmed the capture of Pul-e-Khumri.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Taliban seized the provincial capital, Farah.
Shehla Abubar, a member of Farah’s provincial council, said: “After a brief battle with security forces this afternoon, the Taliban entered Farah city. They have seized the governor’s office and police headquarters.

On Wednesday, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani visited the Taliban-held city of Mazar-e-Sharif. The purpose of the visit is to review the security situation in the northern regions.

Ashraf Ghani has discussed the security of the city with influential Mazar-e-Sharif personality Ata Muhammad Noor and famous fighter Abdul Rashid Dostum.

Keep in mind that the Taliban’s control of Mazar-e-Sharif will be nothing short of a catastrophic blow to the Afghan government. This would mean that the government has lost control of the northern areas, which have long been known for their anti-Taliban militias.