Thread by @bsarwary

Reports of fighting between fighters loyal to Ismail Khan and Taliban in Herat’s Gozra district about 20KMs outside of the city of Herat.

Ismail Khan former Mujahideen commander during Russian invasion and a one time Taliban prisoner is leading the fight.

70 year old Ismail Khan former Mujahideen commander and a one time Taliban prisoner with his son, after he returns from day in the battlefield.

Reports of heavy fighting and Taliban advancing further. On Southern side of the Hariroad river it is the Taliban, on the Northern side it is fighters loyal to Ismail Khan. Taliban have taken UNAMA guards prisoners, multiple officials in Herat province tells me. @UNAMAnews

Several commanders loyal to Ismail Khan have appealed for blood donations. A number of fighters loyal to Ismail Khan wounded. Reports of heavy fighting in multiple locations on the outskirts of Herat city.

At least 2 guards for UNAMA wounded, multiple police officers in Herat province tells me.

Taliban are in control of the road between Herat city and the airport, Herat residents tells me.

Chaotic scenes in Herat.

ANDSF taken positions in strategic locations in Herat city. Many areas have changed hands few times over the course of last few hours. Photos shared with me.

The districts of Karoakh and Guzra in Herat province have fallen into the hands of Taliban, sources in Herat province tells me.

At least 2 security guards working for UNAMA in Herat city were killed, multiple police officials in Herat tells me.

Herat city, sites of sporadic and heavy fighting between ANDSF and Taliban. Many places have changed hands few times today.

“We want everyone to make sure the industrial town is protected.We have invested our lives in the industrial town,traders from all over Afghanistan have invested millions of dollars.”TWO traders from Ningarhar &Mazar-E Sharif who have invested in Herat’s industrial town tells me.

Ismail Khan and fighters loyal to the former Mujahideen commanders putting a stiff resistance. A number of strategic locations around Herat airport and Herat city have fallen into the hands of Taliban. Eye witnesses tells me, in several locations ANDSF surrendered to Taliban.

Governor, corps commander, NDS chief with Ismail Khan . Heavy clashes underway between ANDSF and Taliban.

Taliban fighters in Goazara district in Herat. The strategic district lies on the road that connects Herat airport to the city.

Taliban have retaken control the strategic Karoakh district - a district close to the city of Herat. The district has changed hands few times over the last few weeks.

Taliban have accused this men of theft while worshippers were busy praying.

“Afghan forces have retaken control of the strategic Goazara district in Herat province.” multiple interior ministry officials tells me.

Heavy fighting between Afghan commandos and Taliban in Salma Dam. Reports of several air strikes, residents reporting fighting jets over skies of Herat.

“Colonel Hamid brigade commander for 1st brigade in Herat was taken captive by Taliban in Goazara district. 4 bodyguards for the brigade commander were also taken captive.”, Multiple Afghan officials in Herat tells me.

“ Tonight, at 22:15 American air strike carried against Taliban in Goazara district in Herat province.” Multiple Counter - Terrorism officers tells me.

“At least 3 air strikes carried out by Americans in Goazara district, latest at 00:20.” An Afghan Counter- Terrorism officer tells me.

70 year old Ismail Khan a former Mujahideen commander and a one time Taliban prisoner defending his hometown Herat. There were many dramatic moments and places kept changing hands.

“Brigade commander colonel Hamid was taken captive yesterday by the Taliban in Goazara, he was latter on executed by the Taliban. 4 of his bodyguards were also killed instantly after they were taken captive yesterday by the Taliban.” Afghan officials tells me.

“Colonel Hamid stopped for fighter on the street-he taught they were fighter loyal 2a Ismail Khan but in fact they were TB-battlefield contamination is a major problem. At first RPG was fired that hit vehicle, brigade CDR was taken captive& latter on executed.”A source tells me.

Herat Provincial Council Chief Kamran Alizai fighting against Taliban. Reports of fighting in at least 5 different locations in and around the strategic city of Herat in Western Afghanistan.

ANDSF convoy in Goazara district.

Police chief for Herat who comes from Police Special Forces background, is one of the most respected police commanders. Fighting is intense, fighting 1, 2, 3 KMs away from the center of the city. Police fatalities in Pul-E Munaar close to Herat city.

Ismail Khan says yesterday President @ashrafghani spoke to me on the phone and issued a serious instructions that reinforcements should have arrived last night. But unfortunately defense ministry @MoDAfghanistan committed negligence and have dispatched reinforcements so far.

Jewelry shops and money exchangers closed until further notice in Herat city.

“Last night armed ISR for US military carried 8 strikes against Taliban in Goazara district and around Herat airport.” Multiple Afghan Counter- Terrorism officers tells me.

Heavy fighting in several parts of Herat, closer to the city. Fighting in Pulay Pashtoon, residents in Herat city tells me.

The Afghan people continue to bear the brunt of this brutal war. This is fighting in PD7, Herat city.

Heavy fighting in several parts of Herat, the fighting getting closer to the center of Herat city, fighting has intensified. The deputy interior minister In- charge for security General Rahman arrived in Herat with Afghan Special Forces earlier today.

Aftermath of strikes by helicopter gunship in Herat.

“Taliban now at Kandahar gate in PD2 Herat city. PD10 and PD14 under heavy and intense Taliban attacks. Heavy fighting in several parts of Herat city. Taliban launched their attacks from several directions.”Officials and Herat residents tells me.

Wood stalls caught fire as a result of heavy fighting in Herat’s PD10.

Colonel Hamid , commander for the 1st brigade for 207 Zafar corps was taken captive by Taliban fighters who posed as fighters loyal to Ismail Khan, latter on the commander and 4 of his bodyguards all captive were executed. We continue to see clear breaches of the IHL.

This home belongs to Afghan trader from Herat, Khatibi. The house is located 4KM from the city of Herat.

#AFG  Herat is the city of grapes. In Herat, 72 types of grapes 🍇 are grown. Herat used to supply the grapes for some of the finest wines in the Persian Empire.

Fighting has intensified in Herat during the Grape season 🍇 . Many farmers in Guzara district and Herat will lose a lot during the fruit season.

“Yesterday there was a mortar attack in a street in Herat city, at least 20 people were wounded and killed.” Multiple sources including residents in Herat city tells me.

هراتیان امشب با نعره های الله اکبر شهر را به شور آوردند. هراتیان با این حرکت نفرت شان از جنگ و حمایت شان از نیرو های مسلح و اسمعیل خان فرمانده سابق مجاهدان جنوب غرب در برابر روس ها را نمایش دادند.
شور الله اکبر هرات بازتاب گسترده در صفحات اجتماعی داشت.

Doctors at the government hospital I. Herat , since the start of the large scale Taliban attack against Herat city: “ At least 25 people killed including 6 civilians and 19 members of ANDSF. At least 175 people wounded , at least 100 civilians among those wounded.”

Mortars fired towards Herat international airport. Not further details available at this time.

“Mortars landed in and around the runway for Herat International airport. Arian Afghan Air lines flight ✈️ is cancelled and flight couldn’t land.”, Police officers at the airport tells me.

In Herat, the Taliban accused these two men of theft, they were brought before a crowd of people and paraded. I wounder what happened to these two people who were accused by the Taliban? Taliban style Justice often means hands of thieves are chopped off.

Reports of heavy fighting and air strikes in Herat province.

“Wahid Kohistani police chief for PD10 in Herat city was killed after the Taliban launched a large scale attack against his police station. At least 3 members of police were wounded. Taliban attack pushed back.”, A spokesman for Herat police confirms.

“Taliban launched attack in 7 different locations in Herat city.” Farhad Jillani a spokesman for Herat governor says.

Wahid Ahmad Kohistani police chief for PD10 was killed along with at least 2 policemen. Taliban attacks against at least 7 locations in Herat city, according to officials and residents.

“Yesterday around 60members of Helmand police surrendered to the Taliban. Several senior members of a Helmand intelligence also surrendered.These security members were inside governors office and police HQ and left the buildings and joined the Taliban.” Multiple sources tells me.

“At least 1 US air strike was carried against the Taliban in Lashkargah city earlier today.” Multiple sources tells me.

Corps commander @215Corps General Sadaat @SayedSamiSadat launched a Special Forces operation in Lashkargah city last night.

Karim Ataaal @KarimAtal1 a member parliament representing Helmand province tells me ,” The situation is very bad for civilians. Taliban have taken up positions inside peoples homes and they are digging walls from home home. Government is doing the same..”

Karim Ataaal @KarimAtal1 a member of parliament representing Helmand province tells me “ The central government in Kabul neglected Helmand and Lashkargah for a long time. I call on the government to pay attention to Helmand. The people of Helmand are living in hell.”

Karim Ataaal @KarimAtal1 a member of parliament representing Helmand province tells me “ People can’t leave their homes. Yesterday 3 people left but they were hit with stray bullets. People need food, people need water. Power is cut off.”

Fighting in Herat city. From the eastern side Taliban are around 500 meters from the governors office. Taliban advancing towards the prisons.Ismail Khan is on the western side of Herat city& engaged in furious fighting against Taliban,residents,a traders and gov sources tells me.

Herat city where the fighting has reached the center of the city.

“People are scared.There is fear. There is chaos in the city. I witnessed looting in several parts of the city. I managed to get my family out but left my shop,my home and I only managed to get some cash and few pair of clothes.”Haji Abdul Hamid a resident of Herat city tells me.

“Shindad Air Field taken over by the Taliban and looted. A strategic airfield in the district of Herat on the border with Iran 🇮🇷also was a major training center for Afghan pilots.” Officials and residents confirm the fall of the air field and the looting.

“Taliban are inside buildings and homes, suddenly Taliban appeared from homes inside the center of the city.” Eye witnesses and residents tells me.

Taliban fighters outside of the police HQs .

Historical Herat citadel now in Taliban control.

After weeks of fighting Taliban managed to breach the security belt and got inside the center of city. Here Taliban outside of the police HQ in the heart of the city.

Chaotic scenes inside the city of Herat in western Afghanistan.

Herat prison break. Attacking prisons at the heart of a Taliban military strategy of attacking major urban centers - populated cities across Afghanistan.

A source tells me “ Ismail Khan along with provincial police chief, Governor and intelligence chief all left in a helicopter from NDS HQ.”

People need to realise the significance of Herat falling. This is one of Afghanistans biggest cities -- it's like los Angeles or Seattle. But it also had its own unique politics.

Taliban inside the Provincial governors office in Herat

“Ismail Khan, provincial governor, police chief & NDS chief inside the airport. Officials fled the NDS HQ in a helicopter as the city of Herat to Taliban.” Multiple sources tells me.

“Deputy police chief for Herat Moammad Naeem surrendered to the Taliban.” A senior Afghan official tells me.

Kamran Alizai the Provincial Council Chief for Herat has joined the Taliban in Herat city. I wonder how many more important people in provinces, villages, districts have made secret deals with the Taliban.

Kamran Alizai the Provincial Council Chief surrendered to Mawli Haider - they both hail from Kohsan district in Herat and belong to the Alizai tribe. Mawli Haider is the Taliban director for Haj and Religious affairs in Herat.

Looks like Ismail Khan, deputy interior minister in- charge of security General Rahman Rahman, police chief for Herat, NDS chief for Herat surrendered to the Taliban. I was told they were all locked up in a room, meaning 207 Zafar corps was taken by the Taliban.

Ismail Khan a one time Taliban prisoner, a former legendary Mujahideen commander against Russians, and until yesterday fighting against Taliban now have surrendered or joined the Taliban. Very very complex local dynamics hard to comprehend for anyone.

“Ismail Khan, deputy interior minister in- charge for security General Rahman, Herat NDS chief, Herat police chief and gov were prevented from getting on a helicopter towards Kabul in 207 Zafar corps. Soldiers earlier on had prevented them from leaving.”Multiple sources tells me.

“Taliban had locked everyone inside a room -Ismail Khan&senior Herat leadership including the deputy interior minister Gen Rahman.TB were talking to them for sometimes. This was how they were all taken captive. Something from inside 207 corps happened.” Multiple sources tells me.

“ Taliban got inside the 207 Zafar corps like guests, they drank tea, Taliban were accompanied by tribal elders. Not a single shot was fired. Ismail Khan and these officials surrendered to them. Taliban came for peace not fighting.” A source tells me.

Inside Zafar corps 207, Taliban seize helicopters.

Interview by Taliban with Ismail Khan - not sure if voluntarily or under duress. But Ismail Khan says : “ An Afghan where environment for a peaceful living can be created.”

Taliban accused these men of theft, their faces were colored with black color - to embarrass them and were paraded in Herat city after the Friday prayers.

“ Ismail Khan, Governor of Herat and many other provincial officials boarded a plane in Herat and are en route to Kabul. Taliban allowed them to come to Kabul.” A source and a resident or Herat tells me.

Amir Khan Motaqay a senior Taliban leader calls Ismail Khan, urges him to convince key Jamiat leaders to surrender/join. Taliban strategy of offering insurances to senior Afghan leaders and players. Stick and carrots

Taliban say they found alcohol inside governors office in Herat. Taliban throwing away bottles of alcohol.

Taliban paraded two people they accused of theft: their faces were colored black. This was after the Friday prayers inside Herat city.

Yesterday around 3000 Afghan soldiers inside 207 Zafar corps surrendered to the Taliban. Helicopters, ample amounts of weapons and ammunitions including night vision googles, thermal and M4s and other smaller and heavy weapons including artillery. There were several 100 commandos

Dep interior minister Incharge for security General Rahman, General Qani governor Herat also former deputy interior minister, police chief Herat,NDS chief Herat &Ismail Khan were all taken captive by TB.They all flew back to KBL. Who is responsible for this fiasco? Gov statement?