According to the deputy governor of Helmand Province, the Taliban are on the verge of scoring a major victory by taking over the entire region -- a center of opium production and a major population center.
Helmand is considered the Taliban's home province and it was all that British and American troops could do to keep the Taliban in check. But NATO combat operations against the Taliban ended last year, and the Afghan security forces have proven unable to cope with the threat.
Many of you will recognize the multi-million dollar astroturf soccer field constructed in 2011 inside the 'boardwalk' at the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Base Kandahar.