Afghanistan-Taliban conflict: Provincial capitals captured by Taliban so far — In Pics

Afghanistan is on the precipice and the nation's security forces have all but collapsed after being battered by a Taliban offensive they were unable to halt. Taliban insurgents have made rapid advances across Afghanistan in recent months as the US and other foreign forces withdraw. With the Taliban controlling the vast majority of the country's cities and rural areas, and Afghan security forces largely defeated, here we take a look at the provincial capitals that have fallen to, or are being contested by the Islamist militants, who are fighting to reimpose strict Islamic law after they were ousted in 2001.

Lashkar Gah — The Taliban captured the capital of the southern province of Helmand on August 13. Credit: Reuters Photo

Kandahar — The Taliban captured Afghanistan's second biggest city of Kandahar on August 13, government officials and the Taliban said. Credit: Reuters Photo

Ghazni — The insurgents took over the city on August 12, a senior security officer said. Credit: Reuters Photo

Faizabad — The capital of the northeastern province of Badakhshan is under Taliban control since August 11, according to a provincial council member. Credit: Reuters Photo

Pul-E-Khumri — The capital of the central province of Baghlan fell to the Taliban on August 10, according to residents. Credit: AFP Photo

Aybak — The capital of the northern province of Samangan is being overrun by Taliban fighters since August 8. Credit: Reuters Photo

Taloqan — The capital of Takhar province, also in the north, fell to the Taliban on August 8. They freed prisoners and forced government officials to flee. Credit: AP Photo

Kunduz — On August 8, Taliban fighters seized control of the northern city with 270,000 people. Kunduz is regarded as a strategic prize as it lies at the gateway to mineral-rich northern provinces and Central Asia. Government forces say they are resisting the insurgents from an army base and the airport. Credit: AP Photo

Sar-e-Pul — The insurgents took control of Sar-e-Pul on August 8. It is the capital of the northern province of the same name. It is the first of three provincial centers that fell to Taliban on the same day. Credit: AP Photo

Sheberghan — On August 7, Taliban declared that they have captured the entire northern province of Jawzjan, including its capital Sheberghan. Heavy fighting was reported in the city, and government buildings were taken over by the insurgents. Afghan security forces say they are still fighting there. Credit: AFP Photo

Zaranj — The Taliban took over the city in Nimroz province in the south on August 6. This was the first provincial capital to fall to the insurgents since they stepped up attacks on Afghan forces in early May. Credit: AFP Photo

Qala-E-Naw — On August 13, Taliban captured another capital of the northwestern province of Badghis, a security official and the Taliban said. Credit: Reuters Photo

Firus Koh — The capital of Ghor province was handed over to the Taliban on August 12 without a fight, security officials said. Credit: AP Photo