Afghanistan under Taliban in 9 days: How militants laid siege, negotiated and took over Kabul

Updated : Aug 15, 2021 20:06
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Editorji News Desk

On Sunday morning, a rapidly advancing Taliban took over the key city of Jalalabad cutting off Afghan capital of Kabul from the east. The take over also meant that Kabul was the only major city in Afghanistan left under the control of Ashraf Ghani government. The fall of Jalalabad followed just after Taliban captured another key city - Mazar-i-Sharif. 

As the resurgent Taliban moved towards Kabul they also captured another provincial capital - Maidan Wardak, which is 90 kms from the capital. 

By 2pm on Sunday, reports of Taliban entering outskirts started coming in. Afghan officials were reported as saying that  that the Taliban were in the districts of Kalakan, Qarabagh and Paghman in Kabul.

Meanwhile, Taliban spokesperson said that their fighters have been asked not to enter Kabul as they group does not want to take over the the capital by force. 

The group said that talks are underway with the other side to negotiate entering Kabul in a way to prevent harm to the people. Taliban said it is not seeking revenge and that all civilian and military officials will remain safe. 

Soon after reports started trickling in that Afghan President Ashraf Ghani was relinquishing power after talks with a Taliban delegation led by Mullah Baradar.

It took the Taliban 9 days from August 6 when it captured the first provincial capital to walk into the presidential palace in Kabul. 

TalibanAfghanistanKabulAshraf Ghani

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