In recent years the Taliban has been gradually regaining ground in Afghanistan, including large swathes of Helmand province.



For nearly two years, little has been seen of life under their rule - until now.



BBC Pashtu's Auliya Atrafi is the first international journalist to be allowed to visit this part of Afghanistan - under the close scrutiny of official minders.



Author and Sunday Times foreign correspondent Christina Lamb discusses the underlying causes which led to this situation.



(Image: Former Taliban militants surrender weapons. Credit: EPA)