Conflict

Taliban could isolate Kabul in 30 days, possibly take it over in 90: US intelligence

A group of Talibans posing for a photograph. [FPK File Photo]

Taliban could isolate Kabul in 30 days and possibly take it over in 90 days, the United States intelligence agencies said, news agency Reuters reported quoting a defence official.

The report quoting an official source said that the new assessment of how long Kabul could stand was a result of the rapid gains the Taliban had been making around the country as US-led foreign forces leave.

“But this is not a foregone conclusion,” the report quoted the official source further saying, adding “the Afghan security forces could reverse the momentum by putting up more resistance”.

The militant group now controls 65% of Afghanistan and has taken or threatens to take 11 provincial capitals, a senior EU official was quoted as saying on Tuesday.

The report said all entry points to Kabul, which lies in a valley surrounded by mountains, are choked with civilians fleeing elsewhere, a Western security source in the city told Reuters, making it hard to tell whether Taliban fighters were also entering.

“The fear is of suicide bombers entering the diplomatic quarters to scare, attack, and ensure everyone leaves at the earliest opportunity,” he was quoted as saying.

On Wednesday officials said Taliban seized three more provincial capitals in Afghanistan and a local army headquarters, AP reported.

 

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