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In Afghanistan, Taliban forces have captured the country's second city, Kandahar, in what is a major success for the militants. It follows several cities that fell within hours of each other on Thursday including Afghanistan's third city, Herat.

The insurgents have moved at speed, seizing new territories almost daily, as US and other foreign troops withdraw after 20 years of military operations. The US has announced it's sending forces to help evacuate staff from its embassy in Kabul.

Obaidullah Baheer teaches at the American University in Kabul. He said during a discussion session yesterday students were in shock.

"No-one expected it to happen so quickly, and there was some faith in the idea that the major cities like Herat and Kandahar would not fall and would be in the control of the government because they'd given up on the districts in the hope of defending these cities. But I guess we were all wrong."

(Photo: People displaced by conflict shelter in a tent in a park in Kabul. Credit: Getty Images)

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