Afghanistan: Taliban in control of multiple provincial capitals, including Herat, as of Aug. 13 /update 3

Event

Taliban forces are in control of several provincial capitals, including Herat city, in northern provinces as of Aug. 13. Militants captured Herat city Aug. 12. The Taliban has also captured the capitals of Badakhshan, Baghdis, Baghlan, Jawzjan, Kunduz, Samangan, Sar-i-Pul, and Takhar provinces. Fighting is ongoing in Faryab’s Maimana and Balkh’s Mazar-e-Sharif, though the cities remain under government control. An unspecified number of security forces, Taliban fighters, and civilians have died in various clashes.

Most long-distance transport services in the impacted areas are nonoperational. The ongoing clashes are likely to result in further severe disruptions to travel and both commercial and government operations. Additional violence is likely around all contested locations.

Context

The Taliban has captured several provincial capitals nationwide in recent days, including Ghazni, Kandahar, and Lashkar Gah. The Taliban controls at least nine provincial capitals, including Pol-e-Khomri, Aybak, Sar-e-Pul, Taloqan, and Sheberghan in the country's north. Northern Afghanistan is not historically a center of Taliban support or activity. The militant group continues to battle government forces across the country. Further attacks on provincial capitals are highly likely in the coming weeks.

Several embassies in Kabul have called for their respective citizens to leave the country due to prevailing security conditions and the limited availability of consulate support.

Advice

Defer travel to areas contested by or recently captured by the Taliban. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Liaise with trusted security partners for further information. Review and update contingency plans. Carry personal identification documents while traveling in Afghanistan. Heed all security personnel instructions.