Taliban claims to control of 85% of Afghanistan

SANAA, Jul. 09 (YPA) – Taliban movement said on Friday that it took control over 85 percent of Afghan territory as the insurgent group launches an offensive in parallel with the withdrawal of US troops from the country, although it cannot be confirmed that the group has been independently declared.

The Taliban have made significant progress and have taken control of an area stretching westward from the Iranian border to China’s border in the northeast of the country.

“Eighty-five percent of Afghan territory” is under the group’s control, including some 250 of the country’s 398 provinces, Taliban negotiator Shahabuddin Delawar told a press conference in Moscow.

The group had also previously announced that it had captured Islam Qala, Afghanistan’s most important border crossing with Iran, located in the western province of Herat.

“The Islam Qala border crossing is under our full control and we will restart it today,” Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told AFP.

Islam Qala is one of the most important border crossings in Afghanistan and passes through most of the legitimate trade between the two countries.

Kabul has obtained an exemption from Washington that allows it to import Iranian fuel and gas despite US sanctions.

E.M