Taliban Troops Seize Major Northern Afghan City; Defeat Stunned Security Forces in Seizing Kunduz

Taliban insurgents fought their way into a major city in northern Afghanistan today (September 28, 2015), driving back stunned security forces in a multi-pronged attack that also sent Afghan officials and United Nations personnel fleeing for safety, according to the Washington Post website.

The fall of Kunduz would be a huge blow to the Western-backed government in Kabul and would give Taliban militants a critical base of operations beyond their traditional strongholds in Afghanistan's south.

The assault began shortly before dawn today when hundreds of Taliban fighters advanced into the city from four directions. Although Afghan security units were backed by helicopter gunships, the Taliban took over a 200-bed hospital and overran the local prison, freeing hundreds of prisoners. From there they seized the office of the governor, though he was not in the city at the time.

The militant Islamist group posted triumphant pictures to Twitter, showing Taliban fighters hoisting their white and black flag throughout the city. This is the first time in 14 years that Taliban fighters have seized an Afghan city.