Taliban Seized Most of Afghanistan’s Kunduz Province

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The Taliban has seized Sunday most of the capital of Kunduz province in northern Afghanistan, which is one of the latest Taliban advancements, as confrontations between them and Afghan forces persist. This comes after Washington's recent decision to pull out of Kabul after two decades of occupation.

Two council members of the province reported that the Taliban have taken over the governor's office and police headquarters following a day of gunfights, after which they seized a prison, freeing 500 inmates - including Taliban prisoners. 

As Kunduz distances 335 kilometers away from Kabul, the Taliban taking over the province is of strategic importance, as it puts them at an advantage against the Afghan forces.

Councilman Ghulam Rabani Rabani said that fighting continued at the city's airport, as well as other parts of the region, where the Afghan government forces have only taken control of, apart from their army barracks. 

The Associated Press has recently posted a video that shows the white flag flying in Kunduz's main square on top of a traffic police booth. 

"The innocent and poor must pay the cost of the war in Kunduz and other parts of the country, both government forces and the Taliban are the enemies of civilians," said Ayubi. "One can’t provide security and the other doesn’t care about people’s safety," he added.

The Afghan government denies it has lost the northern city in Kunduz, which is the third province to be taken by the Taliban recently. Taliban and insurgents have reportedly been on nationwide bloodshed as the US troops are departing the country once and for all. 

With Taliban attacks increasing, Afghan security forces and government troops have retaliated with airstrikes aided by the United States. The fighting has raised growing concerns about civilian casualties.