KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - The Taliban said an attack on government installations in a key city in southern Afghanistan was aimed at seizing control of Kandahar.

Saturday's brazen assault casts doubt on how successful the US-led coalition has been in its nearly yearlong military campaign to restore security and bring stability to the former Taliban stronghold.

The attack started around midday and gunfire was still ringing through Kandahar more than five hours later as military helicopters fired from overhead.

Taliban spokesman Qari Yousef Ahmadi says more than 100 militants have flooded the city, including men freed in a bold prison break last month.