Afghan forces have not managed to take Kunduz back from the Taliban, who seized the large town on Monday. Now, a neighboring province is on the brink of collapse, according to The New York Times.
Citizens of nearby Pul-i-Kumri have started to flee, fearing that the Taliban may strike them next. Two Afghan police forces near Pul-i-Kumri surrendered their bases to the Taliban on Wednesday. A third base was taken by Taliban fighters, said former Gen. Mohammad Leqaa, who commanded police forces in Afghanistan, The New York Times reported.
New reports from the Middle East say that the Taliban is now actively recruiting in Kunduz. Taliban members are allegedly going from door to door to speak with boys in each household, sometimes forcibly recruiting them to join Taliban forces. As of Wednesday, there is no electricity in the city and food is already running out, according to Al Jazeera.
The United States has already conducted several airstrikes around the region in an effort to help the Afghan military and police forces who are attempting to take back the city. As of Wednesday, the Taliban is advancing its position instead of retreating. Government facilities and military checkpoints in the region have been attacked.
The main trauma center in the region reports to receiving 171 wounded as of Wednesday, according to The Boston Globe. The center is run by Doctors Without Borders.
