Sheberghan: Taliban captures second Afghan provincial capital

Taliban captures Sheberghan city in Jawzjan, less than a day after taking over Zaranj city in Nimroz.

The Taliban has captured Sheberghan city in Jawzjan, the second Afghan provincial capital to fall to the armed group in less than 24 hours. The deputy governor of Sheberghan said on Saturday that government forces and officials had retreated to the airport on the outskirts of the northern Afghan city, where they were preparing to defend themselves. “The city has unfortunately fallen completely,” Qader Malia told AFP news agency. “The [government] forces and officials have retreated to the airport.”