Thousands flee as the Taliban advance in southern Afghanistan

Afghan families flee an area after clashes between Afghan security forces with Taliban militants in Nad Ali district of Helmand province, Afghanistan, 02 August 2016. Around 10,000 people have been forced to flee their homes and villages in the southern Afghan province of Helmand and seek refuge in the provincial capital of Lashkargah or in safer areas in the districts, owing to the advance of the Taliban, official sources told EFE 10 August 2016. The civilians, mainly from Nadali and Nawa districts, began to abandon their homes about a week ago, said the provincial governor's spokesperson Omar Zwak, adding that authorities are trying to provide them with aid

Around 10,000 people have been forced to flee their homes and villages in the southern Afghan province of Helmand and seek refuge in the provincial capital of Lashkargah or in safer areas in the districts, owing to the advance of the Taliban, official sources told EFE Wednesday.

The civilians, mainly from Nadali and Nawa districts, began to abandon their homes about a week ago, said the provincial governor's spokesperson Omar Zwak, adding that authorities are trying to provide them with aid.

Muhammad Hamdard, head of the Civil Society Platform in Helmand, said thousands of citizens have been living in "difficult conditions in Lashkargah and others have moved to safer areas in their districts."

Most of them do not have access to food or drinking water or a tent to withstand the high temperatures, he added.

"In some areas, people have even lost their children due to the heat and lack of health facilities," he said.

Some weeks ago, the Taliban launched a fresh offensive in Helmand province, where it is constantly fighting Afghan security forces and where it controls at least four of the 14 districts.

In two districts, the insurgents are in constant clashes with the security forces while in three others government forces barely retain control over regions housing public and administrative centers and their surroundings.

Under the new offensive, the insurgents, led by Mullah Haibatullah, took control of the Khanshin district two weeks ago, although they were later repelled by the Afghan security forces with US air support.

Since October last year, the Taliban have controlled a part of Lashkargah, which is one of their most significant military achievements in recent years.

Ever since the NATO combat mission ended in 2014, rebels have been gaining ground in several regions in the country and now control almost a third of its territory, according to the United States.