Afghan troops ‘driving out’ Taliban in western cities, reports

On Wednesday, Taliban flooded ‘Qala-e-Naw’, the first attack on a provincial capital since the United States (US) has been calling its last soldiers back.

As per reports, air raids and Special Forces were stationed to prevent the rebels from attacking.

Special Forces commander Sayed Nezami stated, "The enemy suffered heavy casualties and now we are advancing and driving the enemy out".

The Taliban have been making gains as the US and allies are clearing out.

A spokesperson from the Ministry of Interior Affairs said that the rebels were driven out of the city as the Afghan security forces now have authority,

The provincial governor has also been quoted saying that the Taliban had been pushed back from several parts of the city.

The Afghan troops now have complete authority over the national security. The departure of the remaining forces in Afghanistan have been given a deadline of 11 September. 

The US military has withdrawn more than 90% of its troops and equipment from Afghanistan, the Pentagon announced Tuesday.

The update comes about two months ahead of the deadline President Joe Biden had set earlier this year. The United States has been at war in Afghanistan for nearly 20 years.

The US military has flown the equivalent of approximately 980 loads of material out of the country by large cargo aircraft, according to an update from US Central Command.