Original Title: The Taliban Conquered 7 Provincial Capitals in Doha in 24 Hours
On August 13, local time, the Afghan Taliban allegedly captured seven capital cities of the country within 24 hours, including Kandahar, the second largest city in Afghanistan, and Herat, the third largest city. Currently, the Taliban has control of 34 provincial capitals in Afghanistan. Of 18.
Mohamed Naim, spokesman for the Taliban in Afghanistan, pointed out that the Taliban’s rapid control of a number of large cities in Afghanistan shows that they are supported by the people. However, Naim’s remarks have been questioned by many parties. The head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General Lyons claimed that the Taliban’s military actions caused a large number of civilian casualties.
On the 12th, the multilateral conference on the peace process in Afghanistan concluded in Doha, the capital of Qatar. No statement was issued at the end of the conference.
More than half of the provincial capital has been controlled by the Taliban
In the past 24 hours, the Afghan Taliban spokesperson Mujahid posted several battle reports on social media. As of 10 pm Beijing time on August 13, the Taliban had occupied a total of 8 provincial capitals within 24 hours.
At 23:54 on the 12th (the following time is Beijing time), Mujahid announced that the Taliban had occupied Herat, government agencies had been controlled, and several government troops had surrendered. It is reported that the city is the third largest city in Afghanistan and the most strategic provincial capital in the west.
At 01:11 on the 13th, Mujahid announced that the Taliban had occupied Naauburg, the capital of Badghis Province, and all government agencies were under the control of the Taliban. Several Afghan government troops surrendered and seized weapons and vehicles.
At 9:58 on the 13th, Mujahid announced that the Taliban had captured Kandahar, the second largest city in Afghanistan, and that all government troops stationed in various government agencies had been cleared. Several government troops surrendered, and several soldiers fled, confiscating weapons and ammunition.
At 10:23 on the 13th, Mujahid announced that Rashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand Province, had been captured by the Taliban and government agencies were under control. The local government forces suffered heavy casualties and several surviving soldiers surrendered.
At 15:03 on the 13th, Mujahid announced that the Taliban had captured Firoz Mountain, the capital of Ghor Province, and the local government forces had surrendered and handed over all vehicles and supplies in the province.
At 15:24 on the 13th, Mujahid announced that the Taliban had captured Tirinkut, the capital of Uruzgan Province, and took over all government agencies and local supplies in the province. Several government troops surrendered.
At 17:37 on the 13th, Mujahid announced that the Taliban had occupied Pule Alam, the capital of Logar Province. The governor of the province, all government officials and government forces had surrendered.
At 19:44 on the 13th, Mujahid announced that the Taliban had captured Garat, the capital of Zabul Province, and occupied all government agencies in the province. Several government troops surrendered and seized vehicles, weapons and ammunition.
Al Jazeera and Agence France-Presse have cross-confirmed the above news with government officials across Afghanistan, and the situation is true.
Taliban says it has popular support
Mohamed Naim, spokesman for the Taliban in Afghanistan, recently pointed out that the Taliban’s rapid control of a number of large cities in Afghanistan shows that they are supported by the people.
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reported on August 12 from Balkh province in northern Afghanistan that the Taliban really wants to show a more moderate image to the world, but in other parts of the country, the Taliban is much more demanding on the people. This difference may depend on the attitude of the local commander.
According to Russian Satellite News Agency’s report on August 13, Naim said on Al Jazeera’s live broadcast: “The Afghan people want to be with us and welcome us. The rapid fall of the country’s major cities proves this.”
Naim pointed out that “Afghanistan provinces voluntarily accepted the Taliban regime” and the Taliban “did not use any force.” Naim also said that after taking office, the Taliban are ready to establish stable relations with all countries and “have no problems with neighboring countries.”
However, according to a Reuters report on the 6th, Lyons, the head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan and Special Representative of the Secretary-General, questioned the Taliban’s commitment to a political settlement at the UN Security Council. She said that the Afghan civil war has entered “more deadly and destructive”. During the Taliban offensive in the past month, more than 1,000 civilians have been killed.
“Attacking an urban area is deliberately causing great harm and causing a large number of civilian casualties. Nevertheless, the attack on an urban area is a strategic decision of the Taliban, which shows that the Taliban knows that this action will cause a large number of civilian casualties but still insists on doing so.” Say.
Doha peace talks are fruitless
On August 12, local time, the multilateral conference on the peace process in Afghanistan concluded in Doha, the capital of Qatar. During the three-day meeting, representatives from China, the United States, the United Nations, and important stakeholders in the Arab-related international regions exchanged views on the situation in Afghanistan and advancing the peace process in Afghanistan.
At the meeting, the parties called for a cease-fire and cessation of violence, and to continue to advance the internal peace talks in Afghanistan. The representatives of the parties attending the meeting also held talks with representatives of the Afghan government, chairman of the Afghan National Reconciliation High Commission Abdullah, and representatives of the Taliban and head of the Taliban Political Committee Baradar, urging the two sides to reach agreement on fundamental issues at an early date.
Abdullah said on the 12th that the Afghan government submitted a peace plan through Qatar, hoping to share power with the Taliban in exchange for a complete ceasefire in Afghanistan. But he did not mention any response from the Taliban, nor did he make any statement at the end of the meeting.
(Editor in charge: Liu Xiaojun News report: 8110110 Copyright statement)
.