The Taliban now control a capital city in Afghanistan for the first time since 2001. They beat Afghan soldiers in the city of Zaranj. This will help Taliban fighters in other provinces. The Taliban said: "This is just the beginning. Other provinces will fall into our hands." The Taliban may soon fight for the nation's capital Kabul.

Western countries spent 20 years training the Afghan army. However, the Taliban never gave up fighting. The USA and UK are pulling their soldiers out. The United Nations says the fighting has entered "a new, deadlier phase". It warned that the country was heading for disaster.