InfoSearched
Published -
- August 16, 2021
- 12:44 pm
The Taliban have taken control of Afghanistan, occupying the capital Kabul after President Ashraf Ghani fled the country.
Taliban forces occupied the Presidential Palace, from where they are preparing to announce that they are the new rulers of an “Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan”.
It’s the culmination of a lightning takeover by the Islamist fighters, following the decision by the United States and other coalition nations to withdraw all troops from Afghanistan.
Coalition troops first entered the country in 2001 following the 9/11 attacks and removed the Taliban from power. 20 years of fighting to support the new Afghan government cost thousands of lives.
The decision of the US President Joe Biden to finally withdraw all US forces by September paved the way for the final Taliban offensive that overwhelmed the Afghan government’s forces.
Foreign nationals and many Afghans have been trying to get on flights out of Kabul airport, where US and British troops have been deployed to aid the evacuation.
Mishal Husain presents BBC News at Ten reporting by diplomatic correspondent Paul Adams, Malik Mudassir in Kabul, political correspondent Ben Wright and north America editor Jon Sopel.
What measures are international powers taking in response to the Taliban’s takeover?
The Taliban, a militant group in Afghanistan, have successfully seized power in the country, leaving the country’s President to flee. The news was confirmed by various sources, including reports from the BBC News.
The remaining government forces throughout Afghanistan have fallen under the control of the Taliban, with the group claiming significant victories in various provinces that were previously held by the government. The President’s departure, along with the fall of other key officials, has left the country in a state of uncertainty, with the Taliban expected to officially declare the establishment of a new government soon.
The Taliban’s rise to power has sparked concerns throughout the international community, with various nations subsequently closing their embassies in the country and issuing travel advisories to their citizens. Afghanistan’s neighbors, including Pakistan, Iran, and China, have also expressed concerns about the Taliban’s takeover and its potential implications for the region.
Taliban leaders have stated their desire to establish a new government that is based on Islamic principles, although the group has not provided details about what that would look like. The Taliban’s actions in the past have been characterized by harsh treatment of women and minorities, raising concerns about potential human rights abuses in the new government.
In response to the situation, many Afghans have attempted to flee the country, leading to chaotic scenes at the airport in Kabul, where thousands have attempted to board outgoing flights. There have also been reports of civilian casualties in various parts of the country as a result of the conflict.
As the world watches the situation unfold, many are calling on international powers to step in and protect civilians and ensure a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The future of Afghanistan remains uncertain, but it is clear that the country is entering a new era marked by significant change and upheaval.
