Taliban take three more provincial capitals in sweep across Afghan south

Smoke rises after fighting between the Taliban and Afghan security personnel in the city of Kandahar, southwest of Kabul, Afghanistan, Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Sidiqullah Khan)

The Taliban have captured another three provincial capitals in southern Afghanistan as the insurgents press a lightning offensive that is gradually encircling the capital Kabul.

The loss of Helmand’s provincial capital comes after years of toil and blood spilled by American, British and Nato forces. Hundreds of foreign troops were killed there over the course of the nearly two-decade war.