Afghan forces battle Taliban for control of southern city

KABUL, Aug 2 (Reuters) - Taliban fighters pushed deeper into the southern Afghan provincial capital of Lashkargahon Monday and closed in on government buildings, a senior official said, as the insurgents pressed a rapid advance.

Heavy fighting was raging close to the National Directorate of Security, the prison and the police headquarters in the main city in Helmand province, the government official said, asking not to be named.

Taliban fighters have moved in on three provincial capitals in the last few days and seized territory nationwide since Washington said it planned a complete withdrawal of troops by September.

Most of their advances have focused on rural areas and they have yet to take full control of a major city.
An Afghan military commander said the government forces managed to beat back the Taliban later in the day.
President Ashraf Ghani on Monday blamed the country’s fast-deteriorating security situation on a “sudden” decision by the United States to withdraw its troops.