Afghanistan: Taliban close in on Kabul as last government stronghold in north falls – live updates

Capital hit by blackout as insurgent fighters reach outskirts and western nations race to evacuate citizens

The Taliban captured Mazar-i-Sharif, the country’s fourth-largest city and the government’s last major stronghold in the north on Saturday, as they tightened their grip on the country and closed in on Kabul.

Residents in Kabul were last night gripped by fear and a panicked search for escape routes from the bloodshed many fear could lie ahead. With the collapse of Mazar, the only cities outside the militants’ grasp are eastern Jalalabad, where the Taliban were advancing, and the capital itself.

Related: Last major Afghan city in the north falls to the Taliban

This is our live coverage of the latest developments in Afghanistan as the Taliban surrounds Kabul, after taking control of the city of Mazar-i-Sharif, the last government stronghold in the country’s north.

My name is Helen Sullivan and I’ll be bringing you the news from Afghanistan as it happens.

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source https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/aug/15/afghanistan-taliban-close-in-on-kabul-as-last-government-stronghold-in-north-falls

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