No resistance by forces during Kabul takeover, says Taliban

The Taliban have taken over the capital city of Afghanistan, Kabul without any hesitation or resistance. The forces had demanded the resignation of President Ashraf Ghani or the transfer of power to a third party. When entering Kabul, ex-president Ashraf Ghani had already resigned and fled to Tajikistan with close leaders.

The forces faced no resistance, or any fights and the Afghan troops and leaders surrendered themselves when entering the presidential place in Kabul.

A video clip was distributed by the Afghan Taliban in which people were seen hoisting and holding the Afghan flag with slogans being chanted all over.

After taking over a number of all eastern provinces, including Paktia, Paktika, Khost, Nangarhar, Kunar and Nuristan, and the Wardag and Maidan Shahr, the Taliban had started their journey towards the capital city, Kabul.

Abdullah Abdullah, the head of the Afghan National Reconciliation Council, said Ashraf Ghani had left the country in this difficult situation when almost the whole of Afghanistan had relied on him.

“God should hold him accountable.”

Afghanistan’s Acting Defense Minister Bismillah Khan Mohammadi didn’t hold back his criticism of the fleeing president.

“They tied our hands from behind and sold the country,” he wrote on Twitter. “Curse Ghani and his gang.”

Minister of Education said she couldn’t believe the country’s president has fled.

Rangina Hamidi said she didn’t expect such a response from a president who she “trusted fully”.

The Taliban have already taken over some defense departments in Kabul.

The Taliban are in full control of Afghanistan except for Panjshir which is their next target, but to take over peacefully as a delegation will visit on Monday to have a talk with the Panjshir government, if stopped from peaceful takeover, actions will be taken accordingly, as per Taliban.

Also, the Taliban said their senior political and military leaders would also gather in Kabul on Monday (today), so that they could decide their future plans.

Suhail Shaheen laid out the policy of the Taliban ahead of an expected power transfer that would re-make the Islamic group two decades after the US-led forces were destroyed in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks.

“We want an inclusive Islamic government… that means all Afghans will be part of that government,” Shaheen said.

“We will see that in the future as the peaceful transfer is taking place.”

He also said foreign embassies and workers would not be targeted by the group’s fighters and they should remain in the country.

“There will be no risk to diplomats, NGOs, to anyone. All should continue their work as they were continuing in the past. They won´t harm them, they should remain.”