Taliban nears Kabul; Afghan president breaks silence

Finally, Kabul is ready to fall in front of the Taliban. Heavy fighting is reported in the province adjacent to Kabul. Heavy fighting is taking place in Masar-e-Sherif, in the northern part of Kabul. It was a stronghold of the Taliban opposition.

Eighteen of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces are currently under Taliban control. European countries, including the United States, are rapidly evacuating their citizens. Many embassies across the country are closing fast. The United Nations says the situation is “extremely serious” and calls for the border to be opened to neighboring countries.

The BBC reports that US forces are currently attacking the border areas of Kabul where the Taliban have reached and set up camps. Fighting is also raging in Maidan Shar, just 40 km from Kabul. U.S. intelligence estimates that the Taliban could infiltrate Kabul and seize power within the next 30 days. As part of this, they are rapidly evacuating citizens.

It is in this context that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is urging that the situation be abandoned and that borders be opened to neighboring countries.

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