Image source,AFP
Taliban soldiers have entered the Afghan capital Kabul and occupied the presidential palace, which means the downfall of the Afghan government and the Taliban will soon regain control of the country.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani left Afghanistan on Sunday (August 15) for Tajikistan. Vice President Amrullah Saleh has also fled Kabul.
The Associated Press quoted a Taliban official as saying that the armed group will soon announce the establishment of the “Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan” (Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan) at the presidential palace in the capital. This is the country name used by the Taliban regime to rule Afghanistan for the first time between 1996 and 2001.
As the regime was about to change, Kabul fell into chaos, and a large number of residents and foreigners tried to flee. The Taliban stated that in order to “stop the robbery,” its soldiers had entered the city to maintain order.
For many Afghans, this was a terrible day, marking the Taliban’s return to power nearly 20 years after being expelled by the US-led coalition.
Earlier, the Taliban captured all key cities. Soldiers are entering the capital Kabul “from all directions”. The speed of the Taliban’s occupation of Afghanistan has exceeded expectations.
The footage released by Al Jazeera showed that armed men with guns came to the presidential palace.
Image source,AFP
The United States has sent military helicopters to evacuate embassy staff.
Image source,AFP
Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen told the BBC that the Taliban seeks to “develop power peacefully” in Afghanistan in the next few days.
“We assure the people, especially the citizens of Kabul, that their property and lives are safe,” he said.
He also claimed that after the Taliban come into power, women will be allowed to receive education and the freedom of the media will be guaranteed.
BBC video reporter Malik Mudassir is usually behind the scenes, but he reported in real time from the scene in Kabul yesterday. Behind him, the Taliban are patrolling the streets.
“The Taliban have almost controlled Afghanistan, and now they have entered Kabul, I can see them patrolling the streets from here,” he said. “They obtained government vehicles and armed vehicles from the armed forces.”
Image source,GETTY IMAGES
Many families who fled to Kabul live in makeshift camps.
Image source,EPA
Residents of Afghanistan’s northern provinces used the park as a refuge after fled to Kabul
Image source,EPA
Many people sleep overnight in simple canvas tents in Kabul Park
He also described how people in the city tried to flee Kabul, including some families with women and children.
“There was a serious traffic jam from the airport to the outskirts of Afghanistan… I can see them trying to flee. They look depressed, sad and frustrated.”
In panic, many residents of Kabul lined up in front of the bank to withdraw money, and many residents walked to the airport to try to leave the country.
A 22-year-old student told the BBC that he had been walking for more than 5 hours.
“My feet hurt and blisters. I find it difficult to stand up,” he said.
“Now I am leaving. I think of my family. They have no way to escape. I can’t see the future.”
There was chaos at Kabul Airport on Sunday (August 15) night. At that time, the evacuation of foreigners was still going on, but suddenly gunfire came out.
There are reports that civilians were injured on the tarmac. A witness told the BBC that many people fled in despair, looking like they were trampled on.
Image source,AFP
A Taliban fighter sits in an Afghan National Army (ANA) vehicle on the side of the road in Laghman Province.
The United States has deployed thousands of soldiers to help evacuate American staff and Afghans who assisted in the mission.
On Sunday (August 15), the entire city of Kabul was enveloped in the roar of helicopters transporting diplomatic personnel. There are reports that thick smoke billows near the embassy compound, and some important documents are suspected to have been burned.
Britain deployed 600 soldiers to assist in the evacuation mission.
The rapid rate of the downfall of the Afghan government has made US President Joe Biden (Joe Biden) heavily criticized. US government officials now admit that they overestimated the capabilities of the Afghan army.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken told CNN that the fall of Afghanistan “has happened faster than we expected.”
Former US President Donald Trump called for Biden to “resign in shame for allowing the status quo in Afghanistan to take place.” He also claimed that if he were still president, the U.S. withdrawal would be “very different and more successful.”
The Biden team responded that the withdrawal agreement signed between the United States and the Taliban was negotiated during Trump’s tenure.
However, the specific details of the withdrawal are indeed determined by the Biden administration. BBC North America editor Jon Sopel said, “The framework of this policy may be set by Trump, but Biden is responsible for this growing chaos.”