* Taliban launched relentless blitz sweeping across much of Afghanistan
* Islamist group captured six provincial capitals over intense weekend of fighting
* Aibak, capital of Samangan province in the north, was overrun on Monday
* Kunduz, Sar-e-Pul, Taleqan, Zaranj and Shibirghan also fell in recent days
* Taliban has also waged an assassination campaign targeting officials in Kabul
* Pilots are deserting Afghan forces after being targeted for assassinations
The Taliban has overrun six provincial capitals in Afghanistan in less than a week, sweeping across the war-torn country in a relentless blitz that has led neoconservatives to howl in outrage at President Joe Biden's troop withdrawal.
Aibak, capital of Samangan province in the north, was overrun by the Taliban on Monday, according to its deputy governor and a spokesman for the Islamist insurgent group.
It follows the collapse of provincial capitals Kunduz, Sar-e-Pul, Taleqan, Zaranj and Shibirghan as American and NATO forces finalize their pullout from the country by Biden's August 31 deadline.
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WNU Editor: The situation is definitely going to get worse in the coming weeks .... Things look grim in Afghanistan, even with US airpower. In 22 days, they could be much worse (CNN).
Update: No kidding ..... Afghanistan Peace Talks With Taliban Dead, President Ghani Preparing for War (Bloomberg).
Afghanistan War News Updates -- August 9, 2021
Taliban press on, take 2 more Afghan provincial capitals -- AP
Taliban seize provincial capitals in blitz across northern Afghanistan -- France 24
Fifth northern Afghan capital falls to the Taliban -- Long War Journal
Taliban seizes cities across Afghanistan as U.S. readies final withdrawal -- NBC
Afghanistan: Civilians fear for their lives amid Taliban advances -- DW
Taliban capture sixth provincial capital in northern Afghanistan -- The Guardian
Afghanistan war: Taliban capture three regional capitals -- BBC
Taliban seize fifth Afghan provincial capital since Friday -- CNN
Taliban Seizes 6th Provincial Capital In Afghanistan, Government Retreats "Without Fighting" -- Epoch Times
