A new and surprising reality: the Taliban control two-thirds of the border crossings in Afghanistan

In conjunction with the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan, which is scheduled to be completed at the end of this month, the Taliban movement is expanding its control over border crossings and provincial centers, and it seems that it is imposing a new and surprising reality for the government.

While the battles of hit and run continue between the two sides, the total of the crossings controlled by the Taliban has reached 7 border crossings, which represent about two-thirds of the country’s crossings, since last June, and 5 states fell into their hands, as they took control of 4 border regional capitals during the three days. Last.

The following is a monitoring of the border crossings and the centers of the provinces that the Taliban have controlled so far since the start of the withdrawal of US forces:

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On June 22, the Taliban took control of this border crossing with Tajikistan in Kunduz province, in the north of the country.

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The movement took control of the crossing in Herat province on July 8, and it is one of the largest gates for trade with Iran, as it generates monthly revenues estimated at about $20 million for the Afghan government.

Government and Taliban control areas (Al-Jazeera)

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conjunction with the control of the previous crossing, the Taliban took control of this crossing as well, and it is one of the most important border crossings with Iran.

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On July 9, the Taliban took control of this border crossing, one of the commercial gates to Turkmenistan, located in Herat Province, in the west of the country.

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On July 14, the movement took control of this border crossing with Pakistan, in Kandahar, in the south of the country.

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Dandi Patan crossings The Taliban took control of Dandi Patan border with Pakistan, and Ai Khanum border with Tajikistan, thus increasing the number of border crossings under the control of the movement across the country to 7, out of 10 border crossings in all of Afghanistan.

In addition to the border crossings, the Taliban managed, during the last three days, to control 4 regional capitals: Zaranj, the capital of the Nimroz state bordering Iran, the city of Sherberghan, the capital of Jowzjan, on the border with Turkmenistan, and the cities of Sari Pul and Kunduz, capitals of the two states of the same name in the north of the country.

Zaranj was the first Taliban-controlled provincial capital since the administration of US President Joe Biden announced that its forces would be withdrawn completely from Afghanistan.