Taliban seizure key government buildings in several provincial capitals

The Taliban advance as the insurgents strengthen their offensive that was launched in May as foreign forces began to eject.

Per the details, the Taliban have captured key government buildings in the capital cities of Sar-e-Pul and Kunduz provinces.

The insurgent group had earlier claimed to have captured both provinces.

On Friday the Taliban seized their first provincial capital, Zaranj in southwestern Nimroz, and followed it up a day later by taking Sheberghan in Jawzjan the next day.

"The Taliban have surrounded an army battalion on the outskirts of the city. All other parts of the city are under Taliban control," Mohammad Hussein Mujahidzada, a member of the Sar-e-Pul provincial council said on Sunday.

The insurgents have taken government buildings in the northern provincial capital of Sar-e Pul, driving officials out of the main city to a nearby military base, Mohammad Noor Rahmani, another provincial council member of Sar-e Pul province, said.

He added that "Government headquarters, including the governor's house, police command, and the National Directorate of Security compound, are captured by the Taliban."