Taliban militants began to enter the capital of Afghanistan Kabul from all sides at once, report Al Arabiya and Sky News with reference to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Afghanistan. Three other Afghan officials also confirmed that Taliban militias had reached the outskirts of the capital.
The Afghan government decided to peacefully transfer power to the Taliban in Kabul. This was announced by the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Afghanistan Abdul Sattar Mirzakval. Kabul is the only large city in Afghanistan that has not yet passed into the hands of the Taliban. According to Al Arabiya sources, the Taliban have already begun negotiations with the government at the presidential palace in Kabul.
Meanwhile, the Taliban militants themselves announced that their units intend to seize the capital “peacefully.” “Since the capital Kabul is a large and densely populated city, the Mujahideen of the Islamic Emirate do not intend to invade the city by force or war, but rather take Kabul peacefully. Negotiations are under way to ensure that the transition process is safe and secure, without harming the life, property and honor of anyone and without harming the lives of Kabulis, ”the movement said in a statement. quotes Interfax.
The Taliban say they “ordered all their forces to stand at the gates of Kabul and not try to infiltrate the city.” However, armed clashes broke out on the southern and northern outskirts of the capital, despite assurances from both sides.
On Sunday, media reported that the Taliban were not only in the vicinity of the capital, but also took control of Kabul University. However, the Afghan presidential administration assured that they control the situation in Kabul, transfers RIA Novosti.
A number of EU diplomats in the city have been transferred to a secret safe place in Kabul, Sky News notes. The evacuation of the US Embassy personnel is also continuing, and thousands of US troops are arriving in Kabul to protect them.
Panic is spreading in the city. The banks were lined up with people wishing to collect their savings. Then bank branches were closed due to lack of cash.