Thousands of Afghans flee as fighting erupts after US troop withdrawal begins

Fighting between government forces and the Taliban has broken out in Helmand province

Thousands of Afghans have fled their homes in Helmand province as fierce fighting between government forces and the Taliban erupted after the US military began withdrawing its remaining troops.

Afghan forces pushed back a string of insurgent attacks on checkpoints across the southern province, where the US military on Sunday handed over a base to government forces as part of its formal pullout that began on 1 May.