File photo of an Afghan National Army (ANA) soldier keeping watch at a checkpoint on the Ghazni highway, in Wardak province, Afghanistan August 12, 2018. (Reuters)

Taliban takes provincial Afghan capital just west of Kabul

Afghanistan

The Associated Press

Published: 15 August ,2021: 10:57 AM GST Updated: 15 August ,2021: 11:07 AM GST

1 min read

An Afghan lawmaker and the Taliban say the militants have seized a provincial capital just west of Kabul.

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The militants took Maidan Wardak, the capital of Maidan Wardak, on Sunday.

That's about 90 kilometers (55 miles) from Kabul.

Helicopters are landing at the US Embassy in Kabul as diplomatic vehicles leave the compound amid the Taliban advanced on the Afghan capital.

The rapid shuttle runs by helicopters came Sunday as wisps of smoke rose from the embassy’s roof. US officials previously said that diplomats inside had begun destroying sensitive documents.

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