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UN Afghan envoy Deborah Lyons alarmed at Taliban gains

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An Afghan security official stands guard at a checkpoint in Laghman province, 25 May 2021IMAGE COPYRIGHTEPA
image captionAfghan security forces said they would launch an offensive to reclaim lost territory

Taliban fighters have seized dozens of districts in Afghanistan as they step up attacks during the final withdrawal by foreign troops, the UN has warned.

The insurgents have taken more than 50 of 370 districts since May, UN special envoy Deborah Lyons told the Security Council, warning of "dire scenarios".

She said increased conflict "means increased insecurity for many other countries, near and far".

The US and Nato are still aiming for a complete troop pullout by 11 September.