Reports say that the Taliban have taken over most areas of Farah city following fierce battles with the Afghan security forces.

Sources said that heavy fighting is currently underway in the centers of Badakhshan, Baghlan and Faryab provinces.

Afghan security agencies are not providing information about developments on the frontlines in the north.

“The Taliban launched four attacks on the Farah police headquarters, but we defeated them,” said an Afghan soldier in Farah, Zabihullah Atal.

Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reported that it has treated 4,042 weapon-wounded patients at 15 health facilities since the start of August.

Hundreds of thousands of civilians are at risk as fighting intensifies in and around Kunduz, Lashkar Gah, Kandahar, and other Afghan cities. 

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has called on both warring sides to show restraint and protect civilians and vital infrastructure such as hospitals from attacks, especially in urban areas.

“We are seeing homes destroyed, medical staff and patients put at tremendous risk, and hospitals, electricity and water infrastructure damaged,” said Eloi Fillion, ICRC’s head of delegation in Afghanistan. “The use of explosive weaponry in cities is having severe and indiscriminate effects on the civilian population well beyond its target. Many families have no option but to flee in search of a safer place. This must stop.”

“The situation is very concerning, the city is under the siege, I don’t know what the government is planning to defend the city,” said Bahadur, a resident in Badakhshan.

“The people have a lot of apprehensions about this issue,” said Wahid Shayoun, a resident in Badakhshan.

Fighting is also reported in Pul-e-Khumri, the capital of Baghlan.

“They launched about 100 attacks around Pul-e-Khumri city, but all attacks were repelled,” said Baghlan governor Akbar Barakzai.

In Kapisa province, there are reports that the Taliban have recaptured Nejrab district.

“We call on the government to pay attention to Kapisa and support security forces and public uprising forces,” said a resident in Kapisa, Kaka Mohammad.

“All people should mobilize behind their defense and security forces, they can prevent the advance of the enemies together,” said military analyst Safiullah Safi.

However, sources have said that there has been no plan so far for the recapture of Zaranj, Sheberghan, Kunduz, Sar-e-Pul, Taluqan and Aibak cities, but the security institutions have not given information about the security developments in the north.

The ICRC says that electricity is out across several contested cities and water supply systems are barely operational in some places. “Many families are trying to leave but cannot find transport to escape or simply do not have the financial means,” the ICRC said.

The ICRC and its partner the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) say they are operating at full capacity to evacuate the wounded and transport the remains of those killed as a result of the conflict. In July alone, the ICRC helped nearly 13,000 patients suffering from weapon-related injuries across the country, and this number appears likely to rise this month as fighting increases in highly populated areas.

“Health-care facilities, medical workers, and ambulances must be spared at all cost,” said Fillion. “We also call on all fighting parties to allow humanitarian organizations like the ICRC and ARCS to safely evacuate the injured and bring much-needed assistance to the civilian population.”