Taliban Launch Their First Major Attack Against An Afghan Provincial Capital This Year

Daily Mail: Taliban launch first assault on a provincial capital, with more government forces surrendering overnight as Afghanistan's collapse since NATO withdrawal continues 

* Fierce fighting has erupted in the western city of Qala-i-Naw, capital of Badghis 

* Footage apparently showed people lining the streets and welcoming the Taliban 

* It comes days after the US withdrew from Afghanistan after 20 years of fighting 

* Afghan army soldiers were seen surrendering to the Taliban and giving up arms 

* Over a thousand soldiers fled to Tajikistan following jihadists clashes on Sunday 

The Taliban on Wednesday launched their first assault on a provincial capital in Afghanistan, since waging a major offensive against government forces, local officials said. 

Fierce fighting has erupted in the western city of Qala-i-Naw, the capital of Badghis, after the militants captured all the surrounding districts of the province. 'The enemy has entered the city, all the districts have fallen. 

The fighting has started inside the city,' Badghis governor Hessamuddin Shams told reporters in a text message. He was later seen taking up arms to defend the city, a BBC Persia journalist reported.  

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More News On The Taliban Attacking The Western City Of Qala-i-Naw  

Taliban assaults northern provincial capital -- Long War Journal  

Taliban fighters storm capital of northwestern Afghan province -- Reuters  

Taliban battle their way into western Afghan city -- BBC  

Taliban Attack a Provincial Capital in Afghanistan’s North, Freeing Prisoners -- New York Times  

Taliban attacks capital of northwest Afghan province of Badghis -- Al Jazeera  

Taliban enters Qala-e-Naw city in W. Afghanistan, fighting continues -- Xinhau  

Taliban continues crushing offensive with assault on northwestern provincial capital as US nears full withdrawal from Afghanistan -- RT