The Taliban militants have taken over Dawlat Abad district, 42 kilometers away from Maimana, capital city of the northern Faryab province, a local source confirmed.
Abdul Mannan Qate, a member of Faryab Provincial Council, said all government buildings and facilities in the district have fallen to the Taliban this morning, Tuesday, June 08.
The district which remained surrounded by the militants for months fell to the Taliban despite the group’s positions were hit by airstrikes, he added.
According to the local official, a total of 60 security and defense forces comprised of 35 members of People Uprising Force, 20 police forces and five army forces were stationed in the district. Mr. Qate detailed that the casualty toll is not clear but Yar Mohammad, police chief of the district, has retreated to neighboring Andkhoy district with eight military tanks.
This is the second district in Faryab that has fallen to the Taliban this week. Three days ago, the Taliban took control of Qaisar district which is located 26 kilometers away from the capital city of Faryab province.
With the collapse of Dawlat Abad district, the Taliban have tighten their grip on Maimana further.
Dawlatyar is the 12th district that has fallen to the Taliban since the start of foreign troops withdrawal from Afghanistan on May 01.
The districts fallen to the Taliban are namely Nirkh and Jalrez in Maidan Wardak, Burka in Baghlan, Dawlat Shah in Laghman, Gizab in Urozgan, Deh Yak in Ghazni, Shinkai in Zabul, Du Ab and Mandol in Nooristan, Shahrak in Ghor, and Qaisar in Faryab.
