Photos show Taliban in control of Kunduz city

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qx-XCPM0TIE

Video reportedly showing the Taliban raising its flag over Kunduz city center

Earlier today, the Taliban assaulted the northern provincial capital of Kunduz from three directions and seized control of several areas in the city. “The operations have commenced on the city center from 3 directions with Mujahideen quickly taking enemy positions and the enemy is retreating from their positions,” according to an initial statement that was posted on Voice of Jihad.

Within a day after launching its assault, nearly all of the city of Kunduz has fallen to the Taliban. Taliban fighters and supporters on Twitter are also reporting that Afghan officials and military have retreated to the Kunduz airport. UNAMA, NGOs, and other outside groups are moving to the airport for evacuation.

Photos released on Twitter by Taliban fighters and supporters as well as residents in Kunduz were quickly published on the Internet. Some photos show fighters in governmental buildings and the city’s main hospital, and the jihadists parading through the streets. The Taliban displayed captured Humvees and one tank captured. The Taliban’s white flag is also seen flying from different areas of the city. Two photos and a video show prisoners who were released from the main jail.

Taliban fighters in the streets of Kunduz:

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Taliban fighters in the Kunduz hospital:

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Vehicles captured by the Taliban:

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The Taliban’s flag flying throughout the city:

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Prisoners being released from the central prison:

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Taliban parading through the streets:

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Caleb Weiss is an editor of FDD's Long War Journal and a senior analyst at the Bridgeway Foundation, where he focuses on the spread of the Islamic State in Central Africa.

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5 Comments

  • Ayamo says:

    Who would have thunk … this comes as a complete surprise, nobody could have seen this coming. /endsnark
    This is a disaster. I truly doubt that we’ll see a quick counterattack which will throw them out again.

  • mike merlo says:

    the Taliban will be forced out soon enough

  • Dan says:

    I dunno, Mike. Kunduz has been a difficult area to placate.

    The ANSF don’t have the stomach for it. If anything, when Noor returns from Tajikistan he may release his “hounds” to clean up. Dostum may use the assault as an opportunity to garner support for his “20-odd thousand” private militia to assist. If that happens it’s going to be ugly. Taliban, family’s/friends/associates etc. of Taliban will be fair game. Human Rights – out the window. This may force the US to act.

    Either way, as winter fast approaches (it’s already pretty cold in Kabul), it is going to hamper any real effort by the ANSF to react.

  • Dennis says:

    You’d think in respect, they’d wait for Barack to leave office,..wouldn’t you?

  • Mark Rustad says:

    Why wait for Barack to depart? Their hearts are overflowing with gratitude for the many opportunities he has afforded them. Its what brings them to rooftops, to wave flags and sing his praise.

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