![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/H3LYXQU6K4RXYYXJUEOG6G2PD4.jpg?smart=true&auth=347961ba34fe88d9ec53643c5a4307a3a350e6ea07006d662c85e98e4f8909d0&width=400&height=225)
Locals in Herat are becoming increasingly worried about the prospect of war. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HPLMAC74X4YZTISDKFJRR6DVZU.jpg?smart=true&auth=0f0f8bbe0f557bf68f2fdf1781816acc93c65c817353995c4b0c819d8e89b706&width=400&height=225)
Members of the militia loyal to Ismail Khan, a former Mujahideen commander, walk in the city of Herat after security forces took back control following fighting between Taliban and Afghan security forces. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VZFMCFLBBIDLAXXJ2BKVH2FXAU.jpg?smart=true&auth=65291a87ed00679aaf21e1774e177609b20b3034508b5a150ebc662a79ab36d1&width=400&height=225)
Afghan security personnel patrol the city of Herat. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6NGBS2FCVTHID32454SGOGD5AM.jpg?smart=true&auth=99c6df464a053f1f4a02f90ad7c4b7bfc5bf107b3714e5ded14ec3d58b9917a7&width=400&height=225)
Members of the militia loyal to Ismail Khan, a former Mujahideen commander, congregate in Afghanistan's Herat province. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BRQKJXGPV37TLLLG3VSH3JFO54.jpg?smart=true&auth=b633d1258b6edaaf8c33e80f6912522421e174e25da7f9201884790652a854a8&width=400&height=225)
Afghan security officials inspect the scene of the assassination of Dawa Khan Menapal, the head of the Afghan government's information centre, in Kabul. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BQ4ZVCTAMP23JJ3OZDXRGLYYQM.jpg?smart=true&auth=7dbe845d9a247ee7047f1c4e052848fbee810cbbde92282aca062e456ebbc894&width=400&height=225)
Militia members make their way through the city of Herat. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KUKNFQUTKIZPUKGFRN3ILJVE6Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=240e0a5c2793de64aafa8ad8eb0be40ec61122f2f0712df781978bed232a3058&width=400&height=225)
Herat's streets are deserted, apart from armed groups on patrol. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/H3LYXQU6K4RXYYXJUEOG6G2PD4.jpg?smart=true&auth=347961ba34fe88d9ec53643c5a4307a3a350e6ea07006d662c85e98e4f8909d0&width=400&height=225)
Locals in Herat are becoming increasingly worried about the prospect of war. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HPLMAC74X4YZTISDKFJRR6DVZU.jpg?smart=true&auth=0f0f8bbe0f557bf68f2fdf1781816acc93c65c817353995c4b0c819d8e89b706&width=400&height=225)
Members of the militia loyal to Ismail Khan, a former Mujahideen commander, walk in the city of Herat after security forces took back control following fighting between Taliban and Afghan security forces. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VZFMCFLBBIDLAXXJ2BKVH2FXAU.jpg?smart=true&auth=65291a87ed00679aaf21e1774e177609b20b3034508b5a150ebc662a79ab36d1&width=400&height=225)
Afghan security personnel patrol the city of Herat. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6NGBS2FCVTHID32454SGOGD5AM.jpg?smart=true&auth=99c6df464a053f1f4a02f90ad7c4b7bfc5bf107b3714e5ded14ec3d58b9917a7&width=400&height=225)
Members of the militia loyal to Ismail Khan, a former Mujahideen commander, congregate in Afghanistan's Herat province. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BRQKJXGPV37TLLLG3VSH3JFO54.jpg?smart=true&auth=b633d1258b6edaaf8c33e80f6912522421e174e25da7f9201884790652a854a8&width=400&height=225)
Afghan security officials inspect the scene of the assassination of Dawa Khan Menapal, the head of the Afghan government's information centre, in Kabul. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BQ4ZVCTAMP23JJ3OZDXRGLYYQM.jpg?smart=true&auth=7dbe845d9a247ee7047f1c4e052848fbee810cbbde92282aca062e456ebbc894&width=400&height=225)
Militia members make their way through the city of Herat. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/KUKNFQUTKIZPUKGFRN3ILJVE6Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=240e0a5c2793de64aafa8ad8eb0be40ec61122f2f0712df781978bed232a3058&width=400&height=225)
Herat's streets are deserted, apart from armed groups on patrol. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/H3LYXQU6K4RXYYXJUEOG6G2PD4.jpg?smart=true&auth=347961ba34fe88d9ec53643c5a4307a3a350e6ea07006d662c85e98e4f8909d0&width=400&height=225)
Locals in Herat are becoming increasingly worried about the prospect of war. AP
UK warns of Al Qaeda return as Afghanistan regions fall to Taliban fighters
UK prime minister calls Cobra crisis meeting as fears increase of a breeding ground for terrorist groups
![Neil Murphy](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2Fbbfa4928-39b4-46b0-af7f-7416c61294c8.png?smart=true&auth=912c92a7a067110331cea5ca5e5883f656912bdbba05c09eed2ffbe0b324c8d1&width=70&height=70)
Neil Murphy
13 August, 2021
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