Days after the movement took control of the centres of the states of Jowzjan and Farah, the Taliban announced that they had taken control of the airport of Shephergan, in the northern state of Jowzjan, along with the airport of the state of Frah, in the west of the country.

In a statement on Twitter, spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said, "The airport of Shpurgan has been seized, and after heavy loss of life in the enemy (referring to government forces)."

In another tweet, he added: "Farah Airport has also been seized. The enemy escaped after suffering heavy casualties, and the mujahideen entered the airport and took it under their full control. "

To date, the Taliban have controlled the centres of 9 states, according to Movement data, namely Samangan, Takhar, Nimroz, Jowzjan, Sari-Pul, Kunduz, Farah, Badakhshan and Baglan.

It should be noted that the Afghan scene is witnessing bloody confrontations between the Government and the Taliban, which have declared control over large areas of the country, covering more than 150 regions throughout the country, as well as border crossings with Tajikistan and border checkpoints with Iran and Turkmenistan.

Confrontations between Afghan security forces and Taliban militants escalated, coinciding with the commencement of the withdrawal of United States and NATO forces, early last May, which is due to be completed by 11 September.

Beginning yesterday, the Qatari capital, Doha, is hosting a new round of negotiations between the Afghan Government and the Taliban on accelerating peace talks and ending the ongoing violence in Afghanistan.