The city of 270,000 inhabitants, which had already fallen into the hands of the insurgents in 2015 and 2016, is a strategic crossroads in northern Afghanistan, between Kabul and Tajikistan. At the end of June, the Taliban had taken control of the districts surrounding Kunduz and of the important border post of Shir Khan Bandar, border of Tajikistan, a nerve center for economic relations with Central Asia.

The capture of Kunduz would be the main military success of the Taliban since the beginning of their offensive in May, launched in favor of the withdrawal of international forces, which must be fully completed by August 31. After having seized vast rural territories without meeting much resistance, they concentrate their efforts since the beginning of August on the big cities, encircling several provincial capitals.

Kabul's inability to hold the north of the country could prove decisive for the government's chances of survival. Northern Afghanistan has always been seen as an anti-Taliban stronghold, where resistance to them was greatest when they came to power in the 1990s.

The United States has stepped up its airstrikes, recognized Commander Nicole Ferrara, spokesperson for the central command of the American army: “The American forces have carried out several airstrikes in recent days to defend our Afghan partners. " , He said on Saturday..