:Fall of Herat

{{See also|2021 Taliban offensive}}

Simultaneously with the withdrawal of most United States troops from Afghanistan, the Taliban had increased the intensity of their offensive in Afghanistan, taking at least 50 districts in May and June 2021. It seemed like the Taliban were capturing districts around provincial capitals, preparing to capture them once foreign forces left.{{Cite web|last=Robertson|first=Nic|date=24 June 2021|title=Afghanistan is disintegrating fast as Biden's troop withdrawal continues|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/24/asia/afghanistan-taliban-offensive-intl-cmd/index.html|access-date=10 August 2021|website=CNN}} At the end of June 2021, the Italian military pulled out from a base by Herat, allegedly destroying military equipment and not leaving any for the Afghan National Army. At that time, control of Herat International Airport was also handed over to Afghan forces.{{Cite web|last=Salehi|first=Naseer Ahmad|date=30 June 2021|title=Italian Forces Hand Over Military Camp in Herat to ANDSF|url=https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-173202|access-date=19 August 2021|website=TOLOnews|language=en}} The last Italian troops arrived back in Italy late 29 June 2021.{{Cite web|last1=Moulson|first1=Geir|last2=Gannon|first2=Kathy|date=30 June 2021|title=Most European troops exit Afghanistan quietly after 20 years|url=https://apnews.com/article/europe-afghanistan-health-coronavirus-pandemic-9c1c4f5732c032ba85865aab0338a7a3|access-date=19 August 2021|website=AP NEWS|language=en}}

In January 2019, SIGAR considered all but one district of Herat Province, Shindand District, to be either under government control or government influenced (between government control and contested).{{Cite web|title=Appendices and Endnotes of Jan. 30 2019 Quarterly Report|url=https://www.sigar.mil/pdf/quarterlyreports/2019-01-30qr-appendices.pdf|access-date=19 August 2021|website=SIGAR}} On 11 June 2021, the Taliban claimed to have captured Farsi District to the southwest of the city.{{Cite web|last=Ansar|first=Massoud|date=11 June 2021|title=MPs Seek Deployment of Reinforcements to Frontlines in North|url=https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-172771|access-date=19 August 2021|website=TOLOnews|language=en}} 6 days later Obe District, which is directly north of Farsi District, fell to Herat's west.{{Cite web|last=Amiry|first=Sharif|date=17 June 2021|title=Past 24 Hours Sees Fighting in 200 Areas in Afghanistan|url=https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-172909|access-date=19 August 2021|website=TOLOnews|language=en}} By 6 July, Ghoryan District to Herat's east on the border with Iran was under Taliban control, along with Chishti Sharif District to the west.{{Cite web|last=Nikzad|first=Khaled|date=6 July 2021|title=Afghan Govt Vows to Retake Districts from Taliban|url=https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-173336|access-date=19 August 2021|website=TOLOnews|language=en}}

On 9 July, the Taliban captured eight districts of Herat Province and two major border towns, Islam Qala and Torghundi, in a 24 hour period. Islam Qala is {{Convert|120|km|mi}} from Herat and is one of the main border crossings to Iran, bringing in 1.5 billion Afghani annually for the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Soldiers fled to Iran for safety.{{Cite web|last1=Sarfarazi|first1=Hamed|last2=Faiez|first2=Rahim|date=8 July 2021|title=Reports: Taliban seize key Afghan border crossing with Iran|url=https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-taliban-middle-east-iran-58629a955d5b1703f2536efc122ef171|access-date=19 August 2021|website=AP NEWS|language=en}} Torghundi is one of two border crossings to Turkmenistan. The eight districts captured were Karukh, Kohsan, Gulran, Kushki Kuhna, Kushk, Shindand, Adraskan, and Pashtun Zarghun. According to reports, five districts fell without a fight.{{Cite news|date=9 July 2021|title=Taliban capture key Afghanistan border crossings|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-57773120|access-date=19 August 2021}} Zendeh Jan District, {{Convert|43|km}} from Herat, fell to the Taliban the day before. The attacks and captures of the districts only left 2 districts, Injil and Guzara, plus the city of Herat in government hands.{{Cite web|last=Salehi|first=Naseer Ahmad|date=9 July 2021|title=Ismail Khan Mobilizes Hundreds in Herat to Crush Taliban|url=https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-173398|access-date=19 August 2021|website=TOLOnews|language=en}} Karokh District was retaken on 23 July, but was only held for a week.{{Cite web|last=Nikzad|first=Khaled|date=23 July 2021|title=ANDSF Retakes Herat's Karokh District Amid Fresh Spate of Battles|url=https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-173690|access-date=19 August 2021|website=TOLOnews|language=en}} On 24 July, the government imposed a curfew for Herat Province and most of Afghanistan's other provinces.{{Cite web|date=24 July 2021|title=Afghanistan imposes night curfew to curb Taliban advance|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/7/24/afghanistan-imposes-night-curfew-amid-surge-in-taliban-advance|access-date=20 August 2021|website=www.aljazeera.com|language=en}} Karokh district was retaken on 30 July.{{cite web|last=Roggio|first=Bill|date=30 July 2021|url=https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2021/07/taliban-advances-on-herat-city.php|title=Taliban advances on Herat City|access-date=23 August 2021|website=Long War Journal}}

File:Herat districts detailed.svg

{{See also|Ismail Khan}}

Following the capture of 8 districts in the province in one day on 9 July, the Taliban advanced close to the city. That same day Ismail Khan, former warlord and prominent member of Jamiat-e Islami, called up his followers to secure and defend Herat and then recapture the surrounding districts. They coordinated their activities with security forces and were deployed by 13 July.{{Cite web|last=Salehi|first=Nasir Ahmad|date=13 July 2021|title=Forces Led by Ex-Jihadi Positioned in Herat to Fight Taliban|url=https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-173491|access-date=19 August 2021|website=TOLOnews|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Latifi|first=Ali M.|date=23 July 2021|title=In Herat, ex-Mujahideen commander leads efforts to resist Taliban|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/7/23/herat-residents-take-up-arms-against-encroaching-taliban|access-date=20 August 2021|website=www.aljazeera.com|language=en}} The forces he commanded temporarily prevented the capturing of the city by the Taliban and slowed their advance.{{Cite web|last=Rahimi|first=Zahra|date=19 August 2021|title=Afghan Citizens Blast Politicians For Not Defending Country|url=https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-173950|access-date=19 August 2021|website=TOLOnews|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=13 August 2021|title=Taliban captures Afghan commander Ismail Khan after fall of Herat|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/8/13/taliban-capture-afghan-commander-ismail-khan-after-fall-of-herat|access-date=20 August 2021|website=www.aljazeera.com|language=en}}

File:Map_of_Districts_of_Herat.png

Fighting began in the city around 28 July.{{Cite web|last=Shaheed|first=Anisa|date=4 August 2021|title=Afghans Rally Behind Troops With Cries of 'Allahu Akbar'|url=https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-173984|access-date=19 August 2021|website=TOLOnews|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Latifi|first=Ali M.|date=31 July 2021|title=Afghanistan's Herat under pressure amid ongoing Taliban assault|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/7/31/afghanistans-herat-under-pressure-amid-ongoing-taliban-assault|access-date=20 August 2021|website=www.aljazeera.com|language=en}} The next day, fighting reached the Malan Bridge, which crosses the Hari river about {{Convert|12|km|mi}} south of the city.{{Cite book|last=Dupree|first=Nancy Hatch|url=http://www.afghandata.org:8080/xmlui/bitstream/handle/azu/189/azu_acku_ds351_d87_1977_w.pdf|title=Historical guide to Afghanistan / by Nancy Hatch Dupree.|publisher=University of Arizona Libraries|year=1979|location=Kabul|pages=257|doi=10.2458/azu_acku_ds351_d87_1977}}

The battle was intense on 30 July. The portion of the Kandahar–Herat Highway leading to the airport was under heavy attack. The United Nations office in Herat was also attacked by gunfire and grenades, killing a security guard and wounding others.{{Cite web|date=30 July 2021|title=UN Office Attacked in Herat; One Killed|url=https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-173852|access-date=19 August 2021|website=TOLOnews|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=30 July 2021|title=UN compound attacked as battle for Afghanistan's Herat rages|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/7/30/un-compound-attacked-as-battle-for-afghanistans-herat-rages|access-date=20 August 2021|website=www.aljazeera.com|language=en}} A Taliban spokesman released a statement saying the office had been caught in crossfire.{{Cite web|date=30 July 2021|title=UN office in west Afghanistan comes under fire; guard killed|url=https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-united-nations-185ba1f57e04fd227c6d9a8ab41aa210|access-date=19 August 2021|website=AP NEWS|language=en}} The commander of the 207th Corps was captured and killed on this day as well.{{Cite web|last=Salehi|first=Naser Ahmad|date=31 July 2021|title=Taliban Gets Closer to Herat City as Clashes Intensify|url=https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-173868|access-date=19 August 2020|website=TOLOnews|language=en}} Due to the fighting, all flights were cancelled at Herat International Airport, located {{Convert|10.5|km|mi}} south of the city.{{Cite web|last=Salehi|first=Naseer Ahmad|date=30 July 2021|title=Flights Canceled at Herat Airport as Clashes Enter 2nd Day|url=https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-173851|access-date=19 August 2021|website=TOLOnews|language=en}} Government forces were able to retake the road going to the airport by the afternoon of the next day.{{Cite web|last=Latifi|first=Ali M.|title=Afghanistan's Herat under pressure amid ongoing Taliban assault|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/7/31/afghanistans-herat-under-pressure-amid-ongoing-taliban-assault|access-date=19 August 2021|website=www.aljazeera.com|language=en}}

On 31 July the Malan Bridge was taken by the Taliban after two days of fighting. The next day reporters for Pajhwok Afghan News were briefly taken captive but were quickly released.{{Cite web|last=Salehi|first=Nasir Ahmad|date=1 August 2021|title=Clashes Intensify in Herat as Reinforcements Arrive|url=https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-173890|access-date=19 August 2021|website=TOLOnews|language=en}} On 2 August clashes occurred at least {{Convert|2|km|mi}} from the city center between government aligned forces and the Taliban, mostly in districts 2, 3, 7, and 14.{{Efn|All districts of Herat numbered higher than 10 are not located on OCHA's map of the city, published in 2016.{{cite web|date=14 March 2016|url=https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/en/operations/afghanistan/infographic/afghanistan-hirat-informal-settlements-kis-january-2016|title=Afghanistan: Hirat Informal Settlements - January 2016|website=humanitarianresponse.info|publisher=OCHA|accessdate=19 August 2020}}|name=OCHAdistricts}}{{Cite web|last=Salehi|first=Naseer Ahmad|date=2 August 2021|title=Clashes Ongoing in Herat City for 6th Day|url=https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-173927|access-date=19 August 2021|website=TOLOnews|language=en}} Heratis also chanted "Allahu akbar" ("God is Great") in the streets in support of the government and allied forces.{{Cite news|date=3 August 2021|title=Afghanistan: Street fighting rages as Taliban attack key city|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-58051481|access-date=19 August 2021}}{{Cite web|last=Latifi|first=Ali M.|date=23 July 2021|title=Afghans chant 'Allahu Akbar' in defiant protests against Taliban|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/8/3/afghans-chant-allahu-akbar-in-defiant-protests-against-taliban|access-date=23 August 2021|website=www.aljazeera.com|language=en}} Two days later, August districts 2, 3, 10, and 11 were attacked by the Taliban.{{Efn|name=OCHAdistricts}} The police chief for district 10 was killed in the fighting.{{Cite web|last=Salehi|first=Nasir Ahmad|date=5 August 2021|title=Taliban Attacks on Herat City Pushed Back: Officials|url=https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-173991|access-date=19 August 2021|website=TOLOnews|language=en}} The Taliban were successfully pushed out of the city.{{Cite web|last=Akhgar|first=Tameem|date=4 August 2021|title=Airstrikes pummel Taliban positions in southern Afghanistan|url=https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-taliban-33daa9c44b76090dca874f5d7b37bbf5|access-date=19 August 2021|website=AP NEWS|language=en}}

On 12 August Herat was attacked from four sides. Governor Abdul Saboor Qani said that the Taliban faced a huge response from security forces.{{Cite web|date=12 August 2021|title=Taliban Attacks in Herat and Badghis Pushed Back: Officials|url=https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-174169|access-date=19 August 2021|website=TOLOnews|language=en}} That same day in the early evening, Taliban fighters broke through the defensive lines, entered the city, and took control. People were running and screamed that the Taliban were there.{{Cite web|last1=Karam |first1=Zeina |author1-link=Zeina Karam |last2=Seir |first2=Ahmad |date=13 August 2021 |title=Afghan women fear return to 'dark days' amid Taliban sweep |url=https://apnews.com/article/religion-taliban-7ab054c063e4ea1c14be9e4811f42982 |access-date=19 August 2021 |website=AP NEWS |language=en}} Witnesses said there was occasional gunfire at one government building while the rest of the city went quiet.{{Cite web|last1=Akhgar|first1=Tameem|last2=Faiez|first2=Rahim|last3=Gambrell|first3=Jon|date=12 August 2021|title=Taliban take Kandahar, Herat in major Afghanistan offensive|url=https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-afghanistan-taliban-26d485963b7a0d9f2107afcbc38f239a|access-date=19 August 2021|website=AP NEWS|language=en}} Officials and remaining government forces retreated to a military base and surrendered there the next morning.{{Cite news|last=Hassan|first=Sharif|date=13 August 2021|title=An Afghan warlord who steadfastly resisted the Taliban surrendered. Others may follow his lead.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/13/world/asia/afghanistan-mohammad-ismail-khan.html|access-date=23 August 2021|issn=0362-4331}} Shindand Air Base was also taken.{{Cite web|last=Joly|first=Josephine|date=13 August 2021|title=Taliban capture fourth-largest city, closing in on the capital Kabul|url=https://www.euronews.com/2021/08/13/taliban-s-advance-continues-as-armed-group-captures-more-vital-cities|access-date=23 August 2021|website=euronews|language=en}} According to Khalid Pashtoon, senior adviser to the Afghan high peace council, government troops surrendered in Herat which led to its fall.{{Cite web|date=12 August 2021|title=Newshour - Taliban capture four more provincial capitals - BBC Sounds|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w172xv57jgjc1b6|access-date=19 August 2021|website=www.bbc.co.uk|language=en-GB}}

Residents reported that the Taliban were searching houses, looking for government workers, guns, and vehicles.{{Cite web|date=13 August 2021|title=Taliban imposing 'horrifying' human rights curbs, UN chief warns|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/8/13/afghanistan-taliban-horrifying-human-rights-curbs-un|access-date=20 August 2021|website=www.aljazeera.com|language=en}} Two alleged looters were paraded through the streets as a warning the day after the Taliban captured the city.{{Cite web|last1=Faiez|first1=Raheem|last2=Akhgar|first2=Tameem|last3=Krauss|first3=Joseph|date=15 August 2021|title=Afghans fear a return to brutal rule despite Taliban vows|url=https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-taliban-13304940ec709865ca52aae2d832b963|access-date=19 August 2021|website=AP NEWS|language=en}}

Ismail Khan was captured and put under house arrest.{{Cite web|last=Barakat|first=Sultan|date=15 August 2021|title=Can a disaster in Afghanistan be averted?|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2021/8/15/can-a-disaster-in-afghanistan-be-averted|access-date=20 August 2021|website=www.aljazeera.com|language=en}} According to a member of the provincial council, Khan, the provincial governor, and other officials were handed over as part of an agreement with the insurgents. The capture provided the Taliban with a strong symbol of fading resistance in Herat in addition to claiming that Khan had defected to their side.{{Cite web|date=13 August 2021|title=Afghan commander Ismail Khan captured as Taliban seize Herat|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/afghan-commander-ismail-khan-captured-taliban-seize-herat-2021-08-13/|access-date=19 August 2021|website=Reuters|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Ritchie|first=Hannah|date=13 August 2021|title=Senior Afghan officials join Taliban ranks in Herat after city falls|url=https://edition.cnn.com/world/live-news/afghanistan-taliban-us-troops-intl-08-13-21#h_7c0b989e7e486f763b35aedda429e6f5|access-date=23 August 2021|website=CNN|language=en}} According to sources close to him, on 16 August he left custody and went to Mashhad, Iran.{{Cite web|date=16 August 2021|title=TOLOnews on twitter|url=https://twitter.com/tolonews/status/1427235857661112322|access-date=19 August 2021|website=Twitter|language=en}}

A few days after the city fell, some government offices in the city including the electricity department had reopened without female employees.{{Cite web|last=Salehi|first=Nasir Ahmad|date=17 August 2021|title=Some Govt Offices Reopen in Herat|url=https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-174270|access-date=19 August 2021|website=TOLOnews|language=en}} Women also stayed off the streets and men wore more traditional Afghan clothing. On 18 August, girls returned to school.{{Cite web|author=AFP|date=18 August 2021|title=Afghan girls return to school in Herat after Taliban takeover|url=https://news.yahoo.com/afghan-girls-return-school-herat-080451962.html|access-date=19 August 2021|website=news.yahoo.com|language=en-US}} The Taliban handed out hijabs and headscarves at the entrance to the school.{{Cite web|last1=Karam|first1=Zeina|last2=Batrawy|first2=Aya|date=17 August 2021|title=Uncertainty looms for Afghan women despite Taliban outreach|url=https://apnews.com/article/taliban-604c270b5c8a2f2c0a95e333d358dcf8|access-date=19 August 2021|website=AP NEWS|language=en}}

Herat is Afghanistan's third largest city (with a population of at least two million), lies on important trade routes, and is an important entrance into Iran.{{Cite news|date=12 August 2021|title=Afghanistan: Major cities fall to Taliban amid heavy fighting|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-58184202|access-date=19 August 2021}} It is the largest city in Afghanistan's west, and partially because of that it is an economic hub. Together with the capture of Lashkargah in the Battle of Lashkargah and the fall of Kandahar in the 2021 Battle of Kandahar, their captures were the most significant gains yet in the 2021 Taliban offensive.{{Cite web|date=12 August 2021|title=Newshour - Taliban capture four more provincial capitals - BBC Sounds|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w172xv57jgjc1b6|access-date=19 August 2021|website=www.bbc.co.uk|language=en-GB}}

According to health officials, at least 8 civilians were killed and 260 were wounded in the two weeks of fighting.{{Cite web|last=Salehi|first=Nasir Ahmad|date=13 August 2021|title=18 Civilians Killed in Two Weeks of Fighting in Herat|url=https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-174208|access-date=19 August 2021|website=TOLOnews|language=en}} A hospital said it received 24 bodies and almost 200 wounded people.{{Cite web|date=3 August 2021|title='Indiscriminate' Afghan fighting hurting civilians the most: UN|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/8/3/un-urges-warring-parties-in-afghanistan-to-protect-civilians|access-date=20 August 2021|website=www.aljazeera.com|language=en}} A Taliban attack on infrastructure in Islam Qala led to the loss of internet in mid-July.{{Cite web|last=Kumar|first=Ruchi|date=15 July 2021|title='Enemies of light': Taliban destroying Afghan power, IT sector|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/7/15/taliban-afghanistan-it-electricity-power|access-date=20 August 2021|website=www.aljazeera.com|language=en}}

Two weeks after the capture of Islam Qala, the price of cooking oil increased by roughly 50%. Most of the well-to-do in Herat left before Eid al-Adha, which dramatically reduced spending on Eid. According to one seller, his Eid revenues fell by 90%. A sweet maker had his orders cut in half compared to a normal year.{{Cite web|last=Latifi|first=Ali M.|date=19 July 2021|title='Does this feel like Eid to you?': No festival cheer for Afghans|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/7/19/does-this-feel-like-eid-to-you-no-festival-cheers-for-afghans|access-date=19 August 2021|website=www.aljazeera.com|language=en}}

{{Notelist}}

2021 Taliban offensive

• Capture of Zaranj
• Battle of Kunduz
• Battle of Kandahar
• Battle of Lashkargah
• Fall of Kabul

{{reflist}}

• [https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/en/operations/afghanistan/infographic/hirat-province-district-atlas Herat Province District Atlas]

{{Taliban}}

{{War in Afghanistan}}

{{War on Terror}}

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Category:2021 Taliban offensive

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