Taliban claims control over Kandahar-Herat, US to send 3,000 extra troops within 48 hours to evacuate embassy staff

The capture of Kandahar and Herat - the country`s second and third largest cities - would represent the Taliban`s two biggest military victories since they began a broad offensive in May.

The Taliban claimed control over two of Afghanistan's biggest cities on Thursday, according to media reports, as the United States and Britain said they would send thousands of troops to help evacuate their embassy staff. The capture of Kandahar and Herat - the country's second and third largest cities - would represent the Taliban`s two biggest military victories since they began a broad offensive in May. The fall of major cities was a sign that Afghans welcome the Taliban, a spokesperson for the group said, according to Al Jazeera TV. The U.S. State Department said Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Thursday and told him the United States "remains invested in the security and stability of Afghanistan". They also said the United States was committed to supporting a political solution to the conflict.