Officials reported on Friday that the Taliban has taken Kandahar, Afghanistan’s second biggest city, in the most severe setback for the US-backed government since the rebels launched a new offensive as US forces retreat.

“The Taliban took control of Kandahar city late last night following heavy clashes,” a local government official told Reuters after the militants announced their victory.

Government forces were still in control of Kandahar’s airport, which was the US military’s second biggest base in Afghanistan during their 20-year mission.

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