Taliban launch huge offensive after deadline for US pullout Top Story May 5, 2021 ISLAMABAD: Afghan security forces fought back a huge Taliban offensive in southern Helmand province in the last 24 hours, officials and residents said on Tuesday, as militants launched assaults around the country following a missed US deadline to withdraw troops. Although the United States did not meet the May 1 withdrawal deadline agreed in talks with the Taliban last year, its pull-out has begun, with President Joe Biden announcing all troops will out by Sept 11. Critics of the decision to withdraw say the militants will try to sweep back into power.