Extending their grip over Afghanistan, the Taliban has seized Mazar-e-Sharif, the capital of Balkh province.
The fall came just a day after the insurgents had captured Herat and Kandahar, the second and third largest cities in the country. The provinces of Paktika (bordering Pakistan) and Logan along with the city of Maymana in Faryab Province have also been captured by the Taliban.
The Taliban announced the fall of Mazar-e-Sharif in a tweet on Saturday:
“Mazar city, the capital of Balkh province, was also conquered. Moments ago, the governor, the police chief, the intelligence service, the 209th Shaheen Corps, Qala-e-Jangi and the centre of Dehdadi district of the province were completely conquered with all its accessories. A large number of vehicles, weapons and equipment fell into the hands of the Mojahedin,” tweeted Zabihullah Mujahid, the official spokesperson of Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan(Taliban’s official name).
