Taliban seizes northern Afghanistan city of Mazar-i-Sharif
(VOVWORLD) -Taliban forces have captured Mazar-i-Sharif, a large city in northern Afghanistan in a major setback for the government.
President Ashraf Ghani on Wednesday traveled to Mazar-i-Sharif to direct the strengthening of the defense system, as well as meet with local military commanders.
After the fall of Mazar-i-Sharif, the Afghan government forces now hold the city of Jalalabad in the east, near the Pakistani border and the capital Kabul.
A US defense official is concerned that the Taliban will attack the capital Kabul within the next few days. US President Joe Biden announced on Saturday that the US would deploy 5,000 troops to Afghanistan to assist with the evacuation.
The Taliban is using military means to restore power after the US-led invasion, which ousted the Taliban from power 20 years ago.
Since the US and foreign forces began withdrawing in May, the Taliban have continued to advance in many areas and now control more than 65% of Afghanistan's territory.