Lawmakers and analysts on Tuesday criticized the government’s security strategy following the fall of two new districts to the Taliban in the last 24 hours. Complaints included the alleged failure of Afghan forces to fight in an offensive mode, and for failing to supply provisional outposts.

The centers of Jaghato and Band Ab districts in Ghazni, and Dawlat Abad district in Faryab, have fallen to the Taliban in the last 24 hours, according to provincial council members and local sources. However, the Defense Ministry has said that these areas were "evacuated" or that security forces "retreated to protect civilians."

The Ministry of Public Health on Tuesday reported 1,724 new positive cases of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours and 54 deaths. 

These high numbers come amid continued reports of a lack of medical oxygen in hospitals to treat infected patients.