provincial capitals. one was zaranj in the south west and sheberghan in the north, but today, this morning, they told me that they d also made inroads into the city of kunduz in the north, which is a very, very important trading hub and considered a gateway to central asia, and that they d also captured most of the government buildings. but a defence ministry spokesman a short while ago tweeted showing what he said was the pictures from kunduz where special forces commandos have been tackling the insurgents. so, as we speak, heavy fighting is going on in kunduz city, and why it is important? because this will be the biggest prize for the taliban so far in the latest offensive against the government forces. i m joined now by patricia degennaro an international security consultant who s worked with us forces in afghanistan. thank you very much forjoining us.