Fierce fighting between Taliban militias and Afghan government forces is also taking place in the northern Balkh province bordering Uzbekistan. Two senior security officials said the Islamic Qala border with Iran, which lies in Herat province, had fallen into the hands of the Taliban.
The Taliban seized control of a key district in western Afghanistan that covers the main border with Iran, Thursday (8/7). In the past week, the Taliban have invaded areas bordering five countries, Iran, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, China and Pakistan.
Afghan security and customs officers have fled across the border. Al Alalam TV reports that Afghan soldiers have entered Iranian territory through border crossings to escape the Taliban.
Interior Ministry spokesman Tariq Arian denied the reports and said the border crossings were still under the control of government forces. However, another security official said Taliban forces had captured five districts in Herat without a fight.
Earlier this week, more than 1,000 Afghan security personnel fled to Tajikistan as the Taliban seized much of the northern province of Badakhshan. The region also borders China and Pakistan.
The Defense Ministry said Afghan government forces had previously reported having retaken control of Qala-e-Naw, the capital of the western province of Badghis. This area has been invaded by the Taliban on Wednesday (7/7).
(NFL)
