According to the reports by the U.S. Embassy, Taliban insurgents entered Kabul on Sunday. Moreover, the capital airport is under attack as officials and citizens of Afghanistan are fleeing the country. President Ashraf Ghani has left the country. Here’s the full report.
Details on the U.S. Embassy’s Report
Several Afghans, government ministers, employees, and several civilians try to flee the country by flooding the terminal waiting for flights out of the country. “The security situation in Kabul is changing quickly including at the airport. There are reports of the airport catching fire; therefore we are instructing U.S. citizens to shelter in place,” stated the U.S. Embassy security alert.
Hence, the U.S. diplomats and officials came home after evacuation by helicopters from the embassy roof. “The airport is out of control… the government just sold us out,” said an official present at the scene.
Afghanistan President: Ashraf Ghani flees the country
According to officials from the Afghan security council and former President’s office, Ghani left the country amidst distress on Sunday. While it is not clear where he went, he is accompanied by Hamdullah Mohib, the National Security Adviser and another close associate. “It is our responsibility and we will do it in the best possible manner. Anyone who thinks about chaos, plunder, or looting will be tackled with force,” said Ghani in a video released to the media outlets.
Ghani’s sudden departure led to people branding him as a coward. Taliban said they were on the lookout for his whereabouts. According to reports from a senior government ministry official, the Taliban fighters reached the capital city from all sides. Additionally, this was accompanied by reports of sporadic gunfires around Kabul.
“Taliban fighters are to be on standby on all entrances of Kabul until a peaceful and satisfactory transfer of power,” said Zabhihullah Mujahid, their spokesperson. However, the country’s acting interior minister revealed that the power handed over is to a transitional authority. Moreover, he added that “there won’t be an attack on the city, it is agreed that there will be a peaceful handover,” in his tweet.
