Democracy Dies in Darkness

Mass Afghan government surrenders as Taliban fighters overrun three key cities in sweeping territorial gains

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Afghan security forces stand guard in Herat earlier this week. Taliban fighters have since captured the city. (AFP/Getty Images)

KABUL — Senior Afghan officials and hundreds of Afghan government forces in the country’s west and south surrendered to the Taliban on Friday after the militants overran three key cities, inching the country closer to collapse in the final days of the U.S. withdrawal.