Kandahar

Taliban takes over dozen Afghan provincial capitals in lightning offensive

The militant group has made rapid advances across southern Afghanistan overnight as US and other foreign forces near a complete withdrawal.

Taliban takes Kandahar, Herat in major Afghanistan offensive

The speed of the Taliban offensive raises questions of how long the Afghan government forces can stop the militants from reaching Kabul.

Taliban seizes two more provincial capitals in Afghanistan

Fighting in Afghanistan's long-running conflict has escalated dramatically since May, when the US-led military coalition began the final stage of a withdrawal set to be completed before the end of the month.

Why is the Taliban looking unstoppable in Afghanistan?

The failure of US-led forces to address grassroots issues and the absence of a strong Afghan government has led to the resurgence of the Taliban, experts say.

Afghan forces battle to defend major cities from Taliban offensive

Heavy fighting continues in at least three provincial capitals, with government forces beating back fresh attacks to keep Helmand’s Lashkar Gah from falling to the insurgent group.

Government forces combat Taliban incursions on key Afghan cities

Flights from Kandahar airport were cancelled when rockets hit the runway, an official said, as the Taliban pressed on with their sweeping offensive across the country.

More Afghans flee their homes as Taliban closes in on key city of Kandahar

The Kandahar province of Afghanistan has been the theatre of fierce fighting since the insurgents took control of the key Spin Boldak border crossing with Pakistan earlier this month.

Pakistan: Afghan soldiers who crossed border after Taliban attack returned

Pakistan's military said it had granted asylum to at least 46 Afghan soldiers who crossed the Durand Line into northwestern Pakistan after their military posts in Afghanistan were overrun by Taliban insurgents.

Afghan families flee their homes as fighting intensifies in Kandahar

Local officials say 22,000 families have been displaced in the past one month in Kandahar, as fighting between Taliban and government forces continues outskirts of the city after NATO troops withdrawal from the country.

India evacuates dozens of diplomats, security staff from Kandahar consulate

About 50 Indian personnel, including some six diplomats, pulled from consulate, security sources say, as Taliban fighters clash with government troops in their former bastion in southern Afghanistan.

Anti-missile system put up at Kabul airport to repel Taliban rockets

Taliban fighters do not have any organised capacity but have demonstrated they can fire modified rockets from vehicles and create panic, a security official says.

More Afghan forces flee to Tajikistan as key districts fall to Taliban

Hundreds of Afghan soldiers cross over to Tajikistan as Taliban fighters capture more territory across Afghanistan's rural areas, including a key Kandahar district, in fresh fighting.