Heavy fighting between the Afghan security forces and the Taliban is ongoing in the southern provinces of Helmand, Kandahar and Uruzgan.

Residents in these provinces said that the security forces are now in control of only a few districts.

The Taliban reportedly captured the Helmand police headquarters after a 20-day siege.

In Kandahar province, there are reports that the Taliban has captured the central prison and hundreds of inmates have been released. The Taliban stated that they have released 1,900 inmates after taking over the central prison in Kandahar.

Fighting was also reported in some areas in PD2 and PD4 of Kandahar city, and people have evacuated their homes in these areas. 

“Last night the police headquarters also fell to the Taliban in Helmand,” said Attaullah Afghan, the head of the Helmand provincial council.

“The situation in Trinkot (capital of Uruzgan) is very critical, armed opponents have entered the city,” said Mohammad Qasim, a resident of Trinkot.