In its latest military surge, the Taliban captured Pul-i-Alam in Logar province on Friday, bringing the group the closest it has ever been to the Afghan capital.
Senior Afghan security officials told The National on the condition of anonymity that the government was very concerned over the fall of key provinces in such quick succession.
“We are very worried about the recent development, particularly in the eastern region. Unfortunately, we lost Pul-i-Alam today and that has brought the terrorists to Kabul’s doorstep,” an official said.
“They have been fighting all morning, but as of now, the Taliban have control of Pul-i-Alam. They breached the city gates and have taken over government buildings,” Mohammed Mumtaz, a 37-year-old resident of Logar, told The National.
“There is just one military base that they don’t control, where the Afghan forces have been cornered and are fighting from. If that falls, it will be a big loss to the government because it holds a significant amount of weapons and ammunition,” he added.
After capturing the city centre, the Taliban took Abdul Qayyum Rahimi, the provincial governor of Logar, captive.
“He had been fighting alongside the Afghan forces and the people's uprising. He fought bravely. The chief of [the National Directorate of Security] is still fighting,” Mr Mumtaz said.
There was little local resistance in Logar, Mr Mumtaz observed.
“Unfortunately, after the Taliban declared victory in Pul-i-Alam, I saw some locals cheer for the Taliban because some of them have suffered at the hands of Afghan forces and see the Taliban as a better option,” he said.
The fall of Logar comes a day after the Taliban seized control on Thursday of two important provincial capitals, Kandahar and Herat, which were formerly government strongholds.
The Afghan government has continued to maintain resistance against invading Taliban forces, though their efforts are flagging.
The militant group, which began a violent campaign three months ago when US and Nato troops started their withdrawal from the country, has captured over 240 districts and taken control of at least a dozen provincial centres.
The senior security officials said that the government intended to defend and continue to mobilise local “uprising groups” to stop the Taliban's advance.
“We had an extensive security meeting at the Presidential Palace today where we discussed further strategies, and we will also be working closely with the uprising groups to defeat the enemies of Afghanistan,” an official said.
However, in Herat, as in other places, the militants have been taking key leaders of uprising groups prisoner. Among them, Ismail Khan, a former mujahideen leader and local strongman, has been taken captive and has reportedly been forced to join the Taliban.
Several videos shared by the Taliban claim that Mr Khan has surrendered and show fighters urging the veteran leader to join their group.
A representative of Mr Khan, however, said that he had not joined the Taliban.
“[Mr Khan], through a group of religious scholars, has made a deal to stop the battles to prevent any civilian casualties. He has not surrendered to the Taliban,” Abdul Razaq Ahmadi, Mr Khan’s spokesman, told The National.
“We couldn’t count on the Afghan National Army [to support the fight against the Taliban], so in the end, it was agreed to not fight,” he explained.
He added that he felt let down by the Afghan government.
“There wasn’t any other alternative,” he said.
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
The specs
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Power: 480kW
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
THE BIO:
Sabri Razouk, 74
Athlete and fitness trainer
Married, father of six
Favourite exercise: Bench press
Must-eat weekly meal: Steak with beans, carrots, broccoli, crust and corn
Power drink: A glass of yoghurt
Role model: Any good man
FIGHT CARD
Fights start from 6pm Friday, January 31
Catchweight 82kg
Piotr Kuberski (POL) v Ahmed Saeb (IRQ)
Women’s bantamweight
Cornelia Holm (SWE) v Corinne Laframboise (CAN)
Welterweight
Omar Hussein (JOR) v Vitalii Stoian (UKR)
Welterweight
Josh Togo (LEB) v Ali Dyusenov (UZB)
Flyweight
Isaac Pimentel (BRA) v Delfin Nawen (PHI)
Catchweight 80kg
Seb Eubank (GBR) v Mohamed El Mokadem (EGY)
Lightweight
Mohammad Yahya (UAE) v Ramadan Noaman (EGY)
Lightweight
Alan Omer (GER) v Reydon Romero (PHI)
Welterweight
Ahmed Labban (LEB) v Juho Valamaa (FIN)
Featherweight
Elias Boudegzdame (ALG) v Austin Arnett (USA)
Super heavyweight
Roman Wehbe (LEB) v Maciej Sosnowski (POL)
Analysis
Members of Syria's Alawite minority community face threat in their heartland after one of the deadliest days in country’s recent history. Read more
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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What is Folia?
Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal's new plant-based menu will launch at Four Seasons hotels in Dubai this November. A desire to cater to people looking for clean, healthy meals beyond green salad is what inspired Prince Khaled and American celebrity chef Matthew Kenney to create Folia. The word means "from the leaves" in Latin, and the exclusive menu offers fine plant-based cuisine across Four Seasons properties in Los Angeles, Bahrain and, soon, Dubai.
Kenney specialises in vegan cuisine and is the founder of Plant Food Wine and 20 other restaurants worldwide. "I’ve always appreciated Matthew’s work," says the Saudi royal. "He has a singular culinary talent and his approach to plant-based dining is prescient and unrivalled. I was a fan of his long before we established our professional relationship."
Folia first launched at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in July 2018. It is available at the poolside Cabana Restaurant and for in-room dining across the property, as well as in its private event space. The food is vibrant and colourful, full of fresh dishes such as the hearts of palm ceviche with California fruit, vegetables and edible flowers; green hearb tacos filled with roasted squash and king oyster barbacoa; and a savoury coconut cream pie with macadamia crust.
In March 2019, the Folia menu reached Gulf shores, as it was introduced at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, where it is served at the Bay View Lounge. Next, on Tuesday, November 1 – also known as World Vegan Day – it will come to the UAE, to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and the Four Seasons DIFC, both properties Prince Khaled has spent "considerable time at and love".
There are also plans to take Folia to several more locations throughout the Middle East and Europe.
While health-conscious diners will be attracted to the concept, Prince Khaled is careful to stress Folia is "not meant for a specific subset of customers. It is meant for everyone who wants a culinary experience without the negative impact that eating out so often comes with."
Specs
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