Taleban advances on key cities

The Taliban pressed ahead with their advances in southern Afghanistan yesterday, capturing nine out of 10 districts of the Helmand provincial capital, residents and officials said. Afghan government forces launched airstrikes, backed by the United States, in a desperate effort to defend the city of Lashkar Gah.

Residents of the city said the fighting has them hunkered down inside their homes and unable to step out for basic supplies. They said Taliban fighters were out openly in the streets, and that all but one Lashkar Gah district was under Taliban control.

The Afghan forces commander for Helmand, Sami Sadat, yesterday urged residents in neighborhoods captured by the Taliban to evacuate immediately.

Lashkar Gah is one of three provincial capitals under siege by the Taliban as they step up their onslaught against government forces, with the withdrawal of the US forces now more than 95 percent complete.

The two other provincial capitals under siege are in the neighboring province of Kandahar and in western Herat province.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani blamed the hasty withdrawal of US and NATO troops for the deteriorating situation, while analysts say deep corruption and poor training has left Afghan forces overwhelmed. The UN has repeatedly decried the rise in civilian casualties inflicted by both sides in the conflict.

The US and other world leaders have warned the Taliban against a military takeover of Afghanistan, saying they would become an international pariah again if they tried to take power by force.