As the conflict between Afghan security forces and the Taliban in Herat city entered its sixth day, the residents of the city chanted ALLAH AKBAR (Allah is Great) to express their support to Afghan government forces and oppose the Taliban.

The chanting by men, women, and minors was unprecedented in twenty years and was welcomed by ordinary Afghan people and officials.

After the Taliban toppled all but one district including the provincial capital in western Herat province bordering Iran, the fighters stormed the city and launched an offensive against the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces. Last Friday was the worst in terms of the severity of the conflict. The Taliban toppled two Police Districts in the city and had besieged the airport. The ANDSF backed by US army airstrikes drove the Taliban from the city and recaptured the Guzara district of the province.

Afghanistan Ministry of Defense said that 41 Taliban fighters were killed and 32 more wounded as a result of land and air operations in Herat province Monday night.

Herat along with Lashkargah city of Helmand province, Taloqan of Takhar province, and Kandahar city are among the provincial capitals which have been witnessing heavy conflicts between the ANDSF and the Taliban in the past two weeks.

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