Taliban Seize Herat and Assault Nearby Dam That Provides Water and Power to Hundreds of Thousands of Afghans

Aug 13, 2021 | Elizabeth B. Hessami and Asef Ghafoory
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The Taliban have taken over the Afghan city of Herat, capping three weeks of furious fighting in which both men and women took up arms to defend their city while many residents fled gunfights and rocket attacks. The fall of Herat follows a two-month advance by the Taliban to take control of Afghanistan during the withdrawal of U.S. troops that began in May 2021. American and Afghan politicians such as Fawzia Koofi warned that the withdrawal would have “huge consequences,” but the speed with which the Taliban have gained territory has surprised many.