Taliban near Kabul, seize 18 of 34 provinces as Afghan govt says 'we stand firm' | 5 points

Taliban insurgents have captured 18 out of 34 provinces in Afghanistan. Even though they are a few hours away from Kabul, the Afghan government on Friday said they stand firm and have full faith in their security forces. 

Taliban have seized Afghanistan's second- and third-biggest cities as resistance from government forces failed, stoking fears that an assault on the capital Kabul could be just days away. With every passing day, the important cities of Afghanistan have been falling into the hands of Taliban. In today's meeting on national security chaired by Prz @ashrafghani it was decided with conviction & resolve that WE STAND FIRM AGAINST TALIBAN TERRORISTS & DO EVERTYHING TO STREGNTHEN THE NATIONAL RESISTANCE BY ALL MEANS AND WAYS. PERIOD. We are proud of our ANDSF. A government official confirmed that Kandahar, the economic hub of the south, is now under Taliban control.