Taliban advances in Afghanistan, U.S. and Britain to evacuate embassies

Taliban fighters stand guard at a check point in Farah, Afghanistan August 11, 2021. REUTERS/Stringer

KABUL (Reuters) -The Taliban claimed control over two of Afghanistan's biggest cities on Thursday, according to media reports, as the United States and Britain said they would send thousands of troops to help evacuate their embassy staff.

The capture of Kandahar and Herat - the country's second and third largest cities - would represent the Taliban's two biggest military victories since they began a broad offensive in May.