the taliban militants say they have captured faizabad, in| say they have captured faizabad, in the north—easternis is a significant victory for them as of now, because they are trying to control the entire northern region which is traditionally considered a stronghold of anti—taliban. afghan consists of various ethnic groups, so any opposition to the taliban should start from the northern province and that is why the militants are focusing there. in a show of support for troops and also the militia, the president made a surprise visit to the biggest city in the northern part and is also talking with the previous militia leaders, the former vice president and others to find a strategy to defend the city. because the city also witnessed heavy fighting in the past few days. it is the first visit by the president in recent weeks outside kabul. people are asking where is the leadership in these cities going through a difficult time. now he is there to express his support for the troops over there. what about those afghan government troops? what are you hearing about how much resistance they are putti

the militants say they've taken the north—eastern city of faizabad.han officials say air strikes and commando attacks have left dozens of taliban militants dead in other parts of the country. the washington post is reporting that us intelligence officials believe kabul could fall within ninety days. at a news conference overnight, president biden said he did not regret his decision to withdraw us troops. we've spent over $1 trillion over 20 years, we trained and equipped with modern equipment, over 300,000 afghan forces. and afghan leaders have to come together. we lost thousands through death and injury, thousands of american personnel. they've got to fight for themselves, fight for their nation. the united states insist we continue to keep the commitments we made in providing close air support, making sure that their air force functions and is operable. resupplying their forces with food and equipment and paying all their salaries. but they've got to want to fight. they have outnumbered the taliban and i am getting daily briefings. i think there is

militants claim to have captured a ninth provincial capital overnight, the north—eastern city of faizabadd ground attacks have killed dozens of taliban militants. caroline hawley reports. the afghan president, ashraf ghani, looked vulnerable himself here as he flew into mazar—i—sharif to try to rally forces to repel the taliban advance. his government has faced setback after setback on the battlefield, and the taliban are now closing in on this key northern city. president biden has said it's up to these men now to unite and fight, but he doesn't regret his decision to pull american troops out. afghan leaders have to come together. we lost... thousands lost, death and injury. thousands of american personnel. they've got to fight for themselves, fight for their nation. but the nation is fractured. this is the town of pul—i—khumri, another provincial capital to fall to the taliban yesterday. some people here wanted selfies with the insurgents, who have been accused by the un of committing possible war crimes as they have advanced, and of punishing women who breach their strict rules. tens o

comes as the taliban claims to have captured a ninth provincial capital, the northeastern city of faizabady chief has been removed from his post and thousands of displaced people are pouring into the capital kabul, fleeing fighting in other parts of the country. our afghanistan correspondent secunder kermani has been given rare access to newly captured taliban territory near mazar—i—sharif, where militants have been circling the city. his report was filmed by cameraman fred scott, and a warning this report contains some very distressing images. new territory... ..new weapons, all captured in this unprecedented taliban advance. caught in the middle, afghan families right across the country. how can you justify all this fighting, when it's causing the deaths of thousands of ordinary afghans, thousands of ordinary muslims? you're the ones who started the fighting here, though. shortly after the interview ends, the sound of helicopters. the taliban are still vulnerable to government air strikes. this is balkh, a town with ancient roots — thought to be the birthplace of one of islam's best—know

comes as the taliban claims to have captured a ninth provincial capital — the north—eastern city of faizabadan officials say air strikes and ground attacks have killed dozens of taliban militants. the afghan army chief, has been removed from his post. and thousands of displaced people are pouring into the capital, fleeing fighting in other parts of the country. caroline hawley reports. the afghan president, ashraf ghani, looked vulnerable himself here as he flew into mazar—i—sharif to try to rally forces to repel the taliban advance. his government has faced setback after setback on the battlefield, and the taliban are now closing in on this key northern city. president biden has said it's up to these men now to unite and fight, but he doesn't regret his decision to pull american troops out. afghan leaders have to come together. we lost... thousands lost, death and injury. thousands of american personnel. they've got to fight for themselves, fight for their nation. but the nation is fractured. this is the town of pul—i—khumri, another provincial capital to fall to the taliban yesterday. some