Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – The situation is heating up again in Afghanistan. The Taliban is said to have seized one of the provincial capitals on Friday (6/8/2021).
Not only that, the Taliban also reportedly killed high -ranking government officials in Kabul. This was a blow to Western governments amid the departure of U.S. troops.
According to a local police spokesman, the Taliban captured the city of Zaranj, the capital of Nimroz province. It is the first time the provincial capital has been captured where the Taliban have occupied the governor’s office, police headquarters and Iranian border camps.
The Taliban commander said Zaranj was a strategic city. “This is the beginning, see how other provinces soon fall into our hands,” he was quoted as saying Reuters.
In Kabul, the head of the government’s media and information center Dawa Khan Menpal was also reportedly killed in a Taliban attack. It is part of another series of assassinations aimed at weakening the leadership of the elected government of President Ashraf Gani.
An official said he was killed during Friday prayers. “He is a key supporter of the regime,” said Foreign Ministry spokesman Mirwais Stanikzai.
The Taliban appear to have emerged from their 2001 overthrow by US forces. The insurgents are said to have controlled dozens of districts and border crossings in recent months.
Meanwhile, US Chargé d’Affaires for Afghanistan Ross Wilson said he was disappointed by the attack. Menpal’s death especially made him sad and sick.
“These killings are an insult to the human rights and freedom of speech of Afghans,” he said.
(boss / boss)
– .
