Tarin Kowt is the former base of Australian soldiers who were there for almost a decade. Many Afghan civilians who worked alongside the Australians are thought to be still trapped there.

In the country’s west, meanwhile, Fazil Haq Ehsan, head of the provincial council in Ghor province, said its capital, Feroz Koh, also fell to the insurgents.

With security rapidly deteriorating, the United States planned to send in 3000 troops to help evacuate some personnel from the US Embassy in Kabul. Separately, Britain said about 600 troops would be deployed on a short-term basis to support British nationals leaving the country, and Canada is sending special forces to help evacuate its embassy.

Australia announced on Friday night that it would be joining the international effort to evacuate Afghan civilians who had previously worked with Australian troops.

Thousands of Afghans have fled their homes amid fears the Taliban would again impose a brutal, repressive government, all but eliminating women’s rights and conducting public executions.

Peace talks in Qatar remain stalled, though diplomats are still meeting, as the US European and Asian nations warned that any government established by force would be rejected.

AP

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