Kunduz Nearby Aibak Captured, Kabul Likely to Be Surrounded
Series of Bloodless Entries... US Says "Not Much Can Be Done"
[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] In Afghanistan, the armed group Taliban is strongly pressuring the capital Kabul by capturing Aybak, a nearby city, just one day after taking control of Kunduz, a key military stronghold near Kabul. In just three days, they have rapidly expanded their influence by seizing 6 out of 34 major cities across Afghanistan. The U.S. government has reiterated its stance to maintain withdrawal plans while stating it will provide support within possible limits, raising growing concerns that the Afghan government may soon collapse.
According to foreign media including the Associated Press on the 9th (local time), the Taliban captured Aybak, the capital of Samangan Province in northern Afghanistan. Following the fall of Kunduz, the largest military stronghold in the north, the capture of nearby Aybak has further endangered the security of the adjacent capital Kabul. The Taliban reportedly entered Aybak almost without bloodshed.
Sephatullah Samangani, deputy governor of Samangan, told AFP in an interview, "Aybak has completely fallen under Taliban control," explaining that the provincial government withdrew military forces to protect civilians, allowing the Taliban to enter Aybak without resistance. Aybak is a strategic point through which the highway connecting Kabul and the northern region passes, and its capture by the Taliban poses a significant threat to most of the northern areas.
The Taliban, with the capture of Aybak, now control 6 out of the 34 provincial capitals across Afghanistan. In just four days, they have entered without significant fighting, and the already demoralized Afghan government forces are expected to collapse even faster.
The U.S. government expressed concern over the situation in Afghanistan but maintained its existing position of no further intervention. John Kirby, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Defense, said at a press conference, "While this is not the right situation, I still believe the Afghan government forces have the capability to make significant changes on the battlefield," adding, "The U.S. will continue to provide support within feasible limits of its authority, but we also recognize that it may not always be possible." When asked what the U.S. military could do if Afghan forces do not resist the Taliban, he replied, "There is not much we can do."
The U.S. troops stationed in Afghanistan have already withdrawn more than 95% and are scheduled to complete the full withdrawal by the end of this month. The Department of Defense stated that about 650 personnel remain in Kabul to assist with the withdrawal operations.
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