U.S. prepares for formal Afghan withdrawal
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As the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan enters its final stages, a rapid takeover of districts by the Taliban is raising concerns that the country could slide into civil war
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CONTROL OF DISTRICTS (as of Jun 30, 2021)

200km 125 miles

Government or undetermined
Contested Taliban
Herat

AFGHANISTAN
Kandahar

Mazar-i-Sharif

Kabul: About 650 U.S. troops expected to remain to help secure U.S. embassy, with several hundred more likely stationed at city’s airport

Mid-July: Bulk of more than 4,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan to depart

Sep 11: Deadline for full withdrawal

May 1 73 
Jun 30 158

Change in number of districts under Taliban control

Right: Afghan militiamen joining Afghan defence and security forces to counter Taliban gains
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Sources: Associated Press, BBC, Long War Journal
Picture: AP
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