As the Taliban continue their advance towards Kabul, some American helicopters landed near the US embassy this morning to evacuate personnel. Some armored vehicles have begun to leave the diplomatic headquarters, probably on their way to the airport.
The US sends more troops to Afghanistan, but only for evacuation. Biden doesn’t second thoughts: the withdrawal is final
by our correspondent Federico Rampini
American sources reported that before leaving the embassy, US diplomatic personnel destroyed many “sensitive documents”. In these hours, diplomats and Western citizens who live and work in Kabul are leaving Afghanistan, with an airlift in which Italians are also involved.
The blackest night in Kabul: “It’s over for us”
by Francesca Mannocchi
Afghan President Ghani, who spoke to the nation on Saturday, is increasingly isolated, with “warlords” having either surrendered or joined the Taliban. Thousands of Afghan civilians, who have worked with Westerners and who feel in danger, are trying to leave and save themselves abroad.
Conquered Jalalabad
The Taliban also captured the key city of Jalalabad in eastern Afghanistan, and now only the capital Kabul is in the hands of the Ghani government. Jalalabad, the capital of Nangarhar province, was captured without a fight, two provincial councilors and a resident explained to the German agency Dpa. The capture of the city of Jalalabad with an estimated population of over 280,000 and other areas of the province gives the insurgents control of the Torkham border crossing, the largest trade and transit route between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Taliban now control at least 25 provincial capitals of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces. All these cities were captured in 10 days.
That is why the Kabul army dissolved
by Gianluca Di Feo
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