Afghanistan war: Taliban attacks continue Despite international requests for fire extinguishers
The Taliban have rejected international calls for a ceasefire, and the group's fighters continue to attack in an effort to seize more cities.
On Sunday (August 8th), Taliban forces took control of three key cities, the strategic city of Kunduz in the north, bordering Tajikistan, Sar-e Pol and Taloqan.
In the most recent case, Taliban attacks around Mazar-e-Sharif were reportedly repulsed by government forces with the help of airstrikes. Balkh police spokesman Adel Shah said the airstrikes were aimed at repelling the Taliban from the "fertilizer and electricity" area on the outskirts of Mazar-e-Sharif.
At the same time, there have been reports of Taliban attacks on the city of Aibak, the capital of Samangan. A Taliban spokesman told that they were now targeting the town of Pol-e Khumri, the capital of Baghlan province. Heavy clashes are reported in the city.
Meanwhile, special forces have been sent to Kunduz, according to reports from Afghanistan, and heavy fighting continues in the city streets to push back the Taliban.
Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani has also met with a number of political and jihadi figures to seek their support in launching a national mobilization against the Taliban.
