Capture of Zaranj
The capture of Zaranj, the capital of Nimruz Province, Afghanistan, occurred on 6 August 2021. According to the local officials, only the National Directorate of Security (NDS) and its forces had put up a fight against the Taliban, but they too eventually surrendered to the Taliban. Local officials had been requesting for reinforcements but received no response. Zaranj was the first provincial capital to be taken by the Taliban in their 2021 offensive and the first one to be captured since Kunduz in 2016.
Capture of Zaranj | |||||||
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Part of 2021 Taliban offensive | |||||||
Map of 2021 Taliban Offensive around Zaranj on 7 August Grey: Taliban-controlled territory Pink: Territory controlled by the Afghan government Yellow: Unclear/contested | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
Taliban | Afghanistan | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Abdul Khaliq † (Taliban's governor for Nimruz province) Abdul-Haq Abid (Taliban commander) Muhammad Ayubi (Taliban commander) | Unknown | ||||||
Units involved | |||||||
Taliban forces |
Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) National Directorate of Security (NDS) | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
Minor casualties (according to the Taliban) | NDS personnel defending the city surrendered | ||||||
Location within Afghanistan |
The Taliban faced little to no resistance while capturing the city of Zaranj. The Afghan government officials and security forces either surrendered or fled to Iran and other neighbouring provinces.