Nation appears close to coming under a complete resurrection of the Islamic emirate that ruled from 1996-2001 after overwhelming government forces

Thousands of Afghans flee as insurgents press lightning offensive that is encircling Kabul; capital of Helmand province falls; Kandahar and Herat also taken

Pentagon says 3,000 troops to deploy in Kabul to secure exit of personnel; UK will send 600 troops to guard exit of its own diplomats as local security forces appear to collapse

Seizure of Herat marks biggest prize yet for Taliban, which has captured 11 provincial capitals in blitz before end of US mission

Biden officials privately expressing surprise over how easily Islamist militia sweeping through several key cities after US spent billions to train and equip country's army

With capture of Badakhshan, Baghlan and Farah capitals, Islamist militia now controls of two-thirds of nation as US and NATO finalize their withdrawal after decades of war

US envoy visits Qatar in bid to convince Taliban to halt offensive, as Pentagon says 'not much' America can do to help Afghan government

After group captures 7 of 34 provincial capitals, US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad tells insurgents a military takeover of Kabul would guarantee international isolation

Taliban now controls vast tracts of rural Afghanistan after series of offensives beginning in early May

No injuries reported as 3 projectiles strike Kabul; no group takes responsibility for attack on city, the first since Taliban began offensive amid foreign troop withdrawal