The Taliban and elements of al Qaeda control most of southern Kandahar. The group killed dozens of civilians in a days-long assault on the Kandahar Airfield in December, a major hub for remaining U.S. and NATO troops.

After months of slowly moving into villages surrounding the city, Taliban fighters took control of Kunduz in September, only to be pushed out by Afghan special forces in October after hard fighting. The areas around the city remain contested.

The Taliban seized control of several areas around Sangin in November and December. At times outgunned and outnumbered, Afghan soldiers and police continue to fight to keep the militants from taking the entire district. But other areas have already fallen. The districts of Musa Qala, Kajaki, Nawzad, Gereshk, Baghran, and Dishu have all come under Taliban control or are heavily contested.

The Taliban have been newly active in this western province since the spring and have been making millions off the pistachio harvests.

The Taliban took control of the Arghandab and Kakar districts over the summer.

Much of this central Afghan province has either been taken by the Taliban or is heavily contested.

Since October, the Taliban have taken much of the province, according to reports from locals.

This northeastern province has seen a steady uptick in fighting over the past year, with the Taliban capturing several districts from government forces.

The Islamic State has gained a foothold in this eastern province by pushing out or co-opting Taliban groups there.

This eastern province has been a Taliban stronghold for years, and the Taliban has increased its influence here in recent months.