The Taliban have taken control of prisons in Afghanistan and released prisoners

 

Hundreds of prisoners are leaving the jail in the provincial capital Shebergan

The Taliban seized a prison in Afghanistan's northern province of Jawzjan on Saturday. They later released all the prisoners there. The video, which has spread on social media, shows hundreds of prisoners leaving the prison in the provincial capital, Shebergan. The capture of the town of Shebergan was initially met with some resistance, but was eventually defeated by government forces.

According to the UK-based Reuters news agency, Taliban fighters have now stepped up attacks on provincial cities rather than rural Afghanistan. Three Taliban commanders have confirmed the matter. They say their strategy has changed since the recent US airstrikes against the Taliban.

The process of withdrawing US troops from Afghanistan after 20 years of war is underway. Already, 90 percent of US and foreign troops have left. The withdrawal of the remaining troops will be finalized by August 31.

One of the group's Kandahar-based commanders argued with their military chief, "Why would the Taliban abide by the agreement when the United States has not kept its promise?"

Afsandia Mir, a South Asia analyst at Stanford University, said the Taliban were advancing on provincial capitals. Their campaign is not just for pressure, but for occupation. Sources: BBC, Reuters.