Taliban seize Kabul as US embassy employees evacuate

 

Taliban seize Kabul as US embassy employees evacuate

The Taliban reportedly entered the Afghan capital of Kabul on Sunday. They demanded the peaceful surrender of the country's government while the United States presses for the evacuation of its embassy staff.

According to the Associated Press, foreigners and Afghans are trying to leave the country as quickly as possible to fear an imminent Taliban takeover.

 Taliban group quickly took control of a large part of Afghanistan and easily captured many provincial capitals. Earlier Sunday, the group entered the outskirts of Kabul.

Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen said the movement was "waiting for a peaceful transition to Kabul." Taliban negotiators reportedly went to the presidential palace.

 On Sunday, Afghan Interior Minister Abdul Sattar Mirzakwal said that there would be a "peaceful transition of power" to a transitional government.

The Afghan people should not worry. Mirzaqual said... There will be no clashes in the capital, and there will be a peaceful transfer of power to the transitional government.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani is reportedly still in the capital and has not yet fled the country.

On Saturday, Ghani called on the international community to assist Afghanistan in fighting the Taliban.

"We have started consultations within the government with sheiks, political leaders, representatives of various levels of society, as well as our international allies," Ghani said. "Consultations are taking place very quickly, and you will be informed of the results soon, dear compatriots."

In the United States, President Biden faced increasing pressure from lawmakers to intervene in the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. However, Biden has emphasized that he believes Afghanistan can oversee its security issues after the withdrawal of US forces after two decades in the country.