After weeks of fighting, the Taliban have finally reached the Afghan capital. President Ashraf has stepped down from the top post as the Taliban took over the capital city Kabul on Sunday (August 15). Afghanistan’s former interior minister Ali Ahmad Jalali could be the country’s next president. Fighters of the Islamic fundamentalist organization are stationed outside Kabul, the Afghan interior ministry said.
After entering the capital, the insurgents issued a statement and said that they have no plans to take the Afghan capital by force. This comes as gunshots sounds were echoed in the capital. The Taliban said common people will not be harmed during the peaceful transfer of power.
According to the news agency Agence France Presse, Taliban fighters have surrounded the capital from all sides and are slowly moving forward. At the same time, media reports have also claimed that fighters have been instructed to stand at the gates of the city for now and have been refused entry. With the withdrawal of US and NATO forces from the country, the pace of the Taliban had accelerated and now the capital is trapped in their clutches.
According to a Taliban spokesman, fighters of the Islamic Emirates will remain outside the capital for the time being and will not enter until the process of transfer of power is completed. During this, the Afghan government is responsible for the security of Kabul. On the other hand, the Bloomberg report, quoting President Ashraf Ghani’s office, has claimed that Kabul is controlled by the National Security Force and the people need not worry.
According to a Taliban spokesman, fighters of the Islamic Emirates will remain outside the capital for the time being and will not enter until the process of transfer of power is completed. During this, the Afghan government is responsible for the security of Kabul. On the other hand, the Bloomberg report, quoting President Ashraf Ghani’s office, has claimed that Kabul is controlled by the National Security Force and the people need not worry.
According to media reports, the Taliban claimed that all civilians will be taken care of and no harm will be done to them. It has said that even the army will not be answered. The Taliban spokesman has said in his statement to ‘forgive everyone’ but has advised people to stay in their homes. At the same time, it has been claimed by quoting civilians that in some places the fighters have started moving forward.
President Ashraf Ghani’s chief of staff has appealed to people on his Twitter account not to panic, there is nothing to worry and the situation in Kabul is under control. Acting Home Minister Abdul Sattar Mirkajwal has said there will be no attack on Kabul and the transfer of power will take place peacefully. He said the security of the city would be ensured.
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Afghanistan has witnessed an escalation in Taliban offensive after US President Joe Biden’s announcement of the withdrawal of American and NATO troops by August 31. With this, the US will end its nearly two-decade military presence from the war-ravaged country.
In other India news, actor Kangana Ranaut on Sunday wrapped up shooting for her upcoming film Dhaakad in Budapest and celebrated last night with the team.