The Taliban conquered all of Afghanistan’s major cities except for Kabul at breakneck speed. But the country’s capital could also soon be in the hands of the Islamists. Chaotic scenes take place on site.
The militant Islamist Taliban have advanced to the gates of the Afghan capital Kabul. However, the Islamists have instructed their fighters not to advance into Kabul, according to a published statement. Interior Minister Abdul Sattar Mirsakwal spoke of an agreement for a peaceful change of power. There will be no attack on the city, Mirsakwal said in a video. The city’s security is guaranteed.
Kabul is the last major city in the country under government control. The Bundeswehr wants to start on Monday to get German citizens and Afghan local staff out of the country. The US began evacuating embassy staff and others on Sunday.
Mazar-i-Sharif fell practically without a fight
The Taliban had previously taken the large cities of Jalalabad in the east on Sunday morning (local time) and Mazar-i-Sharif in the north on Saturday evening. Until a few weeks ago there was a large military camp in Mazar-i-Sharif, and since the end of June the German soldiers have withdrawn from the crisis state. The Bundeswehr recently trained Afghan security forces as part of the NATO “Resolute Support” mission. Masar-i-Sharif had been repeatedly attacked by the Islamists for about a week, and in the end it fell practically without a fight.
Jalalabad, the provincial capital of Nangarhar, was conquered by the Islamists without a fight, two provincial councilors and a resident of the German press agency confirmed on Sunday.
Largest evacuation operation by the Bundeswehr
In view of the rapid advance of the Taliban, the Bundeswehr wants to begin evacuating German citizens and Afghan local staff from Kabul this Monday. Bundeswehr paratroopers fly to Kabul in military transporters. On the same day, according to information from security circles, a so-called crisis support team (KuT) made up of experts from various ministries arrives in the Afghan capital. In the Uzbek capital Tashkent, a second KuT is to organize a hub for rescuing people from the Islamists. It is about the largest evacuation operation of the Bundeswehr to date.
No information from Kramp-Karrenbauer
Foreign Minister Heiko Maas told “Bild am Sonntag” that the swift evacuation of German diplomats and other employees was the most important thing. “We will not risk our people falling into the hands of the Taliban. We are prepared for all scenarios.” Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer had stated that she could not provide any information on operational details of the mission. This line was confirmed again by the ministry.
Kabul. “The city is safe”
Afghanistan’s Interior Minister Mirsakwal called on people on Sunday not to fall victim to propaganda. “People don’t need to worry, the city is safe.” Anyone who causes disorder in the city is treated in accordance with the law.
Defense Minister Bismillah Chan Mohammadi also said in a video address published on Facebook that he, as the representative of the armed forces, guarantees the security of Kabul. People shouldn’t panic. It is known that President Ashraf Ghani has met with domestic politicians and given them the responsibility to set up a delegation to travel to Doha on Monday to reach an agreement with the Taliban on the Afghanistan issue. Kabul’s security will be maintained until an agreement is reached, he said.
Taliban apparently open to negotiations
The Taliban declaration said the fighters should take a stand at the gates of the city. Since the capital Kabul is a large and densely populated city, the Taliban did not intend to enter it by force or war. Rather, they want to negotiate with the other side about a peaceful entry into Kabul.
Chaotic scenes took place in Kabul. There was a shooting in front of a bank, a resident of the city said. Many people tried to withdraw their savings, buy groceries and go home to their families. A soldier from Kabul said his entire unit had taken off their uniforms. Soldiers who came from the district of Kabul province, which the Taliban had just captured, confirmed that Islamist fighters were in front of the city.
Pakistan closed an important border crossing with its neighboring country on Sunday amid the advance of the Taliban. Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid announced the closure of the Torkham border crossing in northwestern Pakistan without giving a date for the reopening.
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