Taliban tightening hold in strategic southern Afghanistan

dpa news - Taliban tightening hold in strategic southern Afghanistan: 
In 13 years of combat, the NATO-led foreign troops have suffered their highest number of fatalities in Helmand province. Since January, the Afghan national security forces have ceded most of the six districts of northern Helmand to the Taliban, one district at a time.
Afghan and NATO officials say the insurgents are trying to establish their "strategic headquarters" in the remote areas of northern Helmand, which is already under their control.