A journalist confronted the&nbsp;Pentagon’s chief spokesman, John Kirby&nbsp;about the 'irony' of&nbsp;bringing in 3,000 troops after just pulling 2,500 out of Afghanistan.

"There's a certain irony here that the drawdown was for 2,500 troops, and you are sending in an additional 3,000 to get out civilians, and ramping it up super-quick. And on top of that, another 3,500 in Kuwait...I mean, isn't this ironic?," a journalist asked Kirby on Thursday.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Kirby said the influx of fresh troops does not mean the US&nbsp;is reentering combat with the Taliban.

“This is a temporary mission with a narrow focus,” he told reporters at the Pentagon.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-advances-in-afghanistan-us-and-britain-to-evacuate-embassies-405040">Taliban advances in Afghanistan, US and Britain to evacuate embassies</a>

In addition to sending three infantry battalions, two from the Marine Corps and one from the Army,&nbsp;to the airport, the Pentagon will dispatch 3,500 to 4,000 troops from a combat brigade of the 82nd Airborne Division to Kuwait to act as a reserve force.

Kirby said they will be on standby “in case we need even more” than the 3,000 going to Kabul.

Also, about 1,000 Army and Air Force troops, including military police and medical personnel, will be sent to Qatar in coming days to support a State Department effort to accelerate its processing of Special Immigrant Visa applications from Afghans who once worked for the US&nbsp;government and feel threatened by the Taliban, Kirby said.

The 3,000 troops who are to arrive at the Kabul airport in the next day or two, Kirby said, are to assist with security at the airport and to help process the departure of embassy personnel,&nbsp;not to get involved in the Afghan government’s war with the Taliban.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;decision has cast new doubt on Washington's strategy to influence Afghanistan's peace process by maintaining aid and diplomatic personnel even after the troop withdrawal.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/afghanistan-turmoil-taliban-claims-13th-provincial-capital-405086/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

About 3,500 additional US&nbsp;troops would be sent to the region from Fort Bragg in North Carolina to be on standby if the situation worsened, as well as 1,000 personnel to help process Afghans going through a special immigration process.

It is common for the US&nbsp;military to send in troops to evacuate personnel in combat zones.

The United States has ordered&nbsp;the deployment of thousands of troops to Afghanistan to evacuate their nationals, as the Taliban overran more key regional cities in an offensive that has left the capital dangerously exposed.

The orders came as the Taliban took control of Kandahar, the nation's second biggest city in the insurgency's heartland, leaving only Kabul and pockets of other territory in government hands.

The State Department said Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Thursday and told him the United States "remains invested in the security and stability of Afghanistan" in the face of Taliban violence.

They said Washington was reducing its "civilian footprint" in Kabul given the "evolving security situation" and would increase the tempo of Special Immigration Visa flights for Afghans who helped the US&nbsp;effort in the country, a State Department statement said.

'Not abandonment'&nbsp;

Biden has insisted he has no regrets with his decision, but the speed and ease of the Taliban's urban victories in recent days has been a surprise and forced new calculations.

The Afghan government has now effectively lost control of most of the country, following an eight-day blitz into urban centres by the Taliban that has also stunned Kabul's American backers.

The offensive was launched in early May after the United States and its allies all but withdrew its forces from Afghanistan, with President Joe Biden determined to end two decades of war by September 11.

(With inputs from agencies)

A journalist confronted the Pentagon’s chief spokesman, John Kirby about the 'irony' of bringing in 3,000 troops after just pulling 2,500 out of Afghanistan. "There's a certain irony here that the drawdown was for 2,500 troops, and you are sending in an additional 3,000 to get out civilians, and ramping it up super-quick.

A journalist confronted the Pentagon’s chief spokesman, John Kirby about the 'irony' of bringing in 3,000 troops after just pulling 2,500 out of Afghanistan. "There's a certain irony here that the drawdown was for 2,500 troops, and you are sending in an additional 3,000 to get out civilians, and ramping it up super-quick. And on top of that, another 3,500 in Kuwait...I mean, isn't this ironic?," a journalist asked Kirby on Thursday. Kirby said the influx of fresh troops does not mean the US is reentering combat with the Taliban. “This is a temporary mission with a narrow focus,” he told reporters at the Pentagon. Also read| Taliban advances in Afghanistan, US and Britain to evacuate embassies In addition to sending three infantry battalions, two from the Marine Corps and one from the Army, to the airport, the Pentagon will dispatch 3,500 to 4,000 troops from a combat brigade of the 82nd Airborne Division to Kuwait to act as a reserve force. Kirby said they will be on standby “in case we need even more” than the 3,000 going to Kabul. Also, about 1,000 Army and Air Force troops, including military police and medical personnel, will be sent to Qatar in coming days to support a State Department effort to accelerate its processing of Special Immigrant Visa applications from Afghans who once worked for the US government and feel threatened by the Taliban, Kirby said. The 3,000 troops who are to arrive at the Kabul airport in the next day or two, Kirby said, are to assist with security at the airport and to help process the departure of embassy personnel, not to get involved in the Afghan government’s war with the Taliban. The decision has cast new doubt on Washington's strategy to influence Afghanistan's peace process by maintaining aid and diplomatic personnel even after the troop withdrawal. About 3,500 additional US troops would be sent to the region from Fort Bragg in North Carolina to be on standby if the situation worsened, as well as 1,000 personnel to help process Afghans going through a special immigration process. It is common for the US military to send in troops to evacuate personnel in combat zones. The United States has ordered the deployment of thousands of troops to Afghanistan to evacuate their nationals, as the Taliban overran more key regional cities in an offensive that has left the capital dangerously exposed. The orders came as the Taliban took control of Kandahar, the nation's second biggest city in the insurgency's heartland, leaving only Kabul and pockets of other territory in government hands. The State Department said Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke to Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Thursday and told him the United States "remains invested in the security and stability of Afghanistan" in the face of Taliban violence. They said Washington was reducing its "civilian footprint" in Kabul given the "evolving security situation" and would increase the tempo of Special Immigration Visa flights for Afghans who helped the US effort in the country, a State Department statement said. 'Not abandonment' Biden has insisted he has no regrets with his decision, but the speed and ease of the Taliban's urban victories in recent days has been a surprise and forced new calculations. The Afghan government has now effectively lost control of most of the country, following an eight-day blitz into urban centres by the Taliban that has also stunned Kabul's American backers. The offensive was launched in early May after the United States and its allies all but withdrew its forces from Afghanistan, with President Joe Biden determined to end two decades of war by September 11. (With inputs from agencies)

US is sending 3,000 troops to Kabul as 2,500 leave, journalist confronts Pentagon about the irony

India, Germany, Qatar, Turkey and several other nations have reaffirmed to not recognise any government in Afghanistan that is imposed through the use of military force and called for an immediate end to violence and attacks in the war-torn country.

A statement issued by Qatar on Friday following two separate meetings on Afghanistan in Doha said the participating countries agreed that the Afghan peace process needs to be accelerated as a matter of "great urgency".

The statement came as the Taliban continued its onslaught capturing several key cities in the last couple of days including Kandahar and Herat, Afghanistan's second and third largest cities while significantly expanding its territorial control across the country.

It said the participants urged the Taliban and the Afghan government to build trust and accelerate efforts to reach a political settlement and comprehensive ceasefire as quickly as possible.

The first meeting on August 19 was joined by the representatives of China, Uzbekistan, the US, Pakistan, the UK, Qatar, the UN and the European Union, the Qatari foreign ministry said.

The second meeting on August 12 was attended by representatives of Germany, India, Norway, Qatar, Tajikistan, Turkey and Turkmenistan, the US and the UN, it said.

J P Singh, the Joint Secretary in the Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran division in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), represented India at the second meeting hosted by Qatar.

"Participants raised grave concerns about reports from across Afghanistan concerning continued violence, large numbers of civilian casualties and extra-judicial killings, widespread and credible allegations of human rights violations, all attacks (ground and air) against provincial capitals and cities," the Qatari foreign ministry said.

It said the countries reaffirmed that they will not recognise any government in Afghanistan that is imposed through the use of military force.

"Participants committed to assisting in the reconstruction of Afghanistan once a viable political settlement is reached following good faith negotiations between the two sides," the statement said.

The countries also mentioned the converging statements from both sides on "guiding principles" for a political settlement such as inclusive governance, respect for human rights, including the rights of women and minorities, a mechanism to deliver a representative government, a commitment to not allow any individuals or groups to use the soil of Afghanistan to threaten the security of other countries and respect for international law.

"Participants called on all Afghan sides to act by these principles and build on them in the future political settlement," the statement said.

India, Germany, Qatar, Turkey and several other nations have reaffirmed to not recognise any government in Afghanistan that is imposed through the use of military force and called for an immediate end to violence and attacks in the war-torn country.

India, Germany, Qatar, Turkey and several other nations have reaffirmed to not recognise any government in Afghanistan that is imposed through the use of military force and called for an immediate end to violence and attacks in the war-torn country. A statement issued by Qatar on Friday following two separate meetings on Afghanistan in Doha said the participating countries agreed that the Afghan peace process needs to be accelerated as a matter of "great urgency". The statement came as the Taliban continued its onslaught capturing several key cities in the last couple of days including Kandahar and Herat, Afghanistan's second and third largest cities while significantly expanding its territorial control across the country. It said the participants urged the Taliban and the Afghan government to build trust and accelerate efforts to reach a political settlement and comprehensive ceasefire as quickly as possible. The first meeting on August 19 was joined by the representatives of China, Uzbekistan, the US, Pakistan, the UK, Qatar, the UN and the European Union, the Qatari foreign ministry said. The second meeting on August 12 was attended by representatives of Germany, India, Norway, Qatar, Tajikistan, Turkey and Turkmenistan, the US and the UN, it said. J P Singh, the Joint Secretary in the Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran division in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), represented India at the second meeting hosted by Qatar. "Participants raised grave concerns about reports from across Afghanistan concerning continued violence, large numbers of civilian casualties and extra-judicial killings, widespread and credible allegations of human rights violations, all attacks (ground and air) against provincial capitals and cities," the Qatari foreign ministry said. It said the countries reaffirmed that they will not recognise any government in Afghanistan that is imposed through the use of military force. "Participants committed to assisting in the reconstruction of Afghanistan once a viable political settlement is reached following good faith negotiations between the two sides," the statement said. The countries also mentioned the converging statements from both sides on "guiding principles" for a political settlement such as inclusive governance, respect for human rights, including the rights of women and minorities, a mechanism to deliver a representative government, a commitment to not allow any individuals or groups to use the soil of Afghanistan to threaten the security of other countries and respect for international law. "Participants called on all Afghan sides to act by these principles and build on them in the future political settlement," the statement said.

India, several other nations reaffirm not to recognise govt imposed through use of force in Afghanistan

Afghanistan-based radio and television station Shamshad News has reported that the Taliban have banned the Covid vaccination in eastern Afghanistan's Paktia and posted a notice in this respect at Paktia Regional Hospital.&nbsp;

The COVID-19 vaccine ward has been closed for the last three days, according to province Public Health Director Walayat Khan Ahmadzai, and clients have been informed that the vaccine has been prohibited.

According to Ahmadzai, the Taliban urged the vaccination distribution team not to provide vaccines.

So yet, the armed Taliban have been silent on the subject.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Taliban Banned Using of COVID-19 Vaccines in Paktia<a href="https://t.co/x0O9qPbfUN">https://t.co/x0O9qPbfUN</a> <a href="https://t.co/3G9TOlwzbk">pic.twitter.com/3G9TOlwzbk</a>
— ShamshadNews (@Shamshadnetwork) <a href="https://twitter.com/Shamshadnetwork/status/1425729523065266177?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

When the Taliban gained control of the province, they allegedly removed Nishan Sahib from a Gurudwara.&nbsp;

Following an eight-day blitz into metropolitan centres by the Taliban, the Afghan government has virtually lost control of the majority of the nation, shocking Kabul's American supporters.

Meanwhile, after the provincial capital in the country's north was taken last week, a video on Facebook shows Taliban commanders celebrating their victory at the home of Afghan warlord Marshal Abdul Rashid Dostum in Sheberghan, Jowzjan.

Taliban commanders can be seen celebrating in a large hall owned by Dostum in the footage.&nbsp;

The attack began in early May after the US and its allies had almost completely withdrawn their soldiers from Afghanistan, with President Joe Biden aiming to bring the two-decade-long war to a close-by September 11.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Afghanistan-based radio and television station Shamshad News has reported that the Taliban have banned the Covid vaccination in eastern Afghanistan's Paktia and posted a notice in this respect at Paktia Regional Hospital.

Afghanistan-based radio and television station Shamshad News has reported that the Taliban have banned the Covid vaccination in eastern Afghanistan's Paktia and posted a notice in this respect at Paktia Regional Hospital. The COVID-19 vaccine ward has been closed for the last three days, according to province Public Health Director Walayat Khan Ahmadzai, and clients have been informed that the vaccine has been prohibited. According to Ahmadzai, the Taliban urged the vaccination distribution team not to provide vaccines. So yet, the armed Taliban have been silent on the subject. Taliban Banned Using of COVID-19 Vaccines in Paktiahttps://t.co/x0O9qPbfUN pic.twitter.com/3G9TOlwzbk — ShamshadNews (@Shamshadnetwork) August 12, 2021 × When the Taliban gained control of the province, they allegedly removed Nishan Sahib from a Gurudwara. Following an eight-day blitz into metropolitan centres by the Taliban, the Afghan government has virtually lost control of the majority of the nation, shocking Kabul's American supporters. Meanwhile, after the provincial capital in the country's north was taken last week, a video on Facebook shows Taliban commanders celebrating their victory at the home of Afghan warlord Marshal Abdul Rashid Dostum in Sheberghan, Jowzjan. Taliban commanders can be seen celebrating in a large hall owned by Dostum in the footage. The attack began in early May after the US and its allies had almost completely withdrawn their soldiers from Afghanistan, with President Joe Biden aiming to bring the two-decade-long war to a close-by September 11. (With inputs from agencies)

Taliban ban COVID-19 vaccine in Eastern Afghanistan's Paktia province: Report

The Doha meetings on Afghanistan in a final outcome document have sent a message to the Taliban that it won't get legitimacy if it comes by force and called on both the Afghan government and the Taliban to accelerate the peace process.

The nine-point Chairman statement&nbsp;issued after the series of meetings said, "Participants reaffirmed that they will not recognize any government in Afghanistan that is imposed through the use of military force.".

Doha saw two&nbsp;key meetings, one on Tuesday that saw the participation of China, Uzbekistan, United States, Pakistan, United Kingdom, Qatar, United Nations, and the European Union, and another on Thursday&nbsp;that saw the participation of Germany, India, Norway, Qatar, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United States, and the United Nations to discuss the ongoing situation in the country. Additionally, on Wednesday, the&nbsp;Troika Plus meeting happened which saw US, Russia, China plus Pakistan meeting.&nbsp;

The outcome document stated that participants agreed that the "peace process" needs to be "accelerated as a matter of great urgency" on the basis of the negotiations of "concrete proposals" from both sides--the Afghan republic side and the Taliban side.

The key document called for a "political settlement and comprehensive ceasefire as quickly as possible". The political settlement should not undo the gains of the past, including women's and minorities' rights and "a commitment to not allow any individuals or groups to use the soil of Afghanistan to threaten the security of other countries".

Remember inputs&nbsp;from the Security establishment suggest, terror camps from Pakistan have moved into Afghanistan, in areas under Taliban occupation.&nbsp;Afghan govt has been saying that 10,000 foreign terrorists Fighters representing 20 groups including Al-Qaeda, Lashkar-e-taiba, TTP, IMU, ETIM, and ISIL have entered the country and fighting along with the Taliban.

During the meetings, Participants raised&nbsp;"grave concerns" about reports of "continued violence, large numbers of civilian casualties and extra-judicial killings, widespread and credible allegations of human rights violations, all attacks (ground and air) against provincial capitals and cities, and the destruction of physical infrastructure" from Afghanistan. Even as the Taliban makes massive territorial gains, provincial capital after provincial capital has fallen with humanitarian crisis erupting. In some parts, heartbreaking visuals of women and children&nbsp;being killed have emerged.&nbsp;

The document in an optimistic&nbsp;note highlighted that "participants committed to assist in the reconstruction of Afghanistan once a viable political settlement is reached following good faith negotiations between the two sides."

Global diplomatic engagements are on as the situation deteriorates in Afghanistan. Earlier this month, India as the President of the United Nations Security Council hosted a meeting on Afghanistan on the issue. Number of countries reiterated that the Taliban won't get legitimacy if it comes by force.

The US-Europe communique, a C5+1 statement – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, embassies represented in Kabul which included embassies of Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, the EU delegation, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, NATO, Spain, Sweden, the UK have been issuing similar statements expressing concerns on the situation in the country.

The Doha meetings on Afghanistan in a final outcome document have sent a message to the Taliban that it won't get legitimacy if it comes by force and called on both the Afghan government and the Taliban to accelerate the peace process.

The Doha meetings on Afghanistan in a final outcome document have sent a message to the Taliban that it won't get legitimacy if it comes by force and called on both the Afghan government and the Taliban to accelerate the peace process. The nine-point Chairman statement issued after the series of meetings said, "Participants reaffirmed that they will not recognize any government in Afghanistan that is imposed through the use of military force.". Doha saw two key meetings, one on Tuesday that saw the participation of China, Uzbekistan, United States, Pakistan, United Kingdom, Qatar, United Nations, and the European Union, and another on Thursday that saw the participation of Germany, India, Norway, Qatar, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United States, and the United Nations to discuss the ongoing situation in the country. Additionally, on Wednesday, the Troika Plus meeting happened which saw US, Russia, China plus Pakistan meeting. The outcome document stated that participants agreed that the "peace process" needs to be "accelerated as a matter of great urgency" on the basis of the negotiations of "concrete proposals" from both sides--the Afghan republic side and the Taliban side. The key document called for a "political settlement and comprehensive ceasefire as quickly as possible". The political settlement should not undo the gains of the past, including women's and minorities' rights and "a commitment to not allow any individuals or groups to use the soil of Afghanistan to threaten the security of other countries". Remember inputs from the Security establishment suggest, terror camps from Pakistan have moved into Afghanistan, in areas under Taliban occupation. Afghan govt has been saying that 10,000 foreign terrorists Fighters representing 20 groups including Al-Qaeda, Lashkar-e-taiba, TTP, IMU, ETIM, and ISIL have entered the country and fighting along with the Taliban. During the meetings, Participants raised "grave concerns" about reports of "continued violence, large numbers of civilian casualties and extra-judicial killings, widespread and credible allegations of human rights violations, all attacks (ground and air) against provincial capitals and cities, and the destruction of physical infrastructure" from Afghanistan. Even as the Taliban makes massive territorial gains, provincial capital after provincial capital has fallen with humanitarian crisis erupting. In some parts, heartbreaking visuals of women and children being killed have emerged. The document in an optimistic note highlighted that "participants committed to assist in the reconstruction of Afghanistan once a viable political settlement is reached following good faith negotiations between the two sides." Global diplomatic engagements are on as the situation deteriorates in Afghanistan. Earlier this month, India as the President of the United Nations Security Council hosted a meeting on Afghanistan on the issue. Number of countries reiterated that the Taliban won't get legitimacy if it comes by force. The US-Europe communique, a C5+1 statement – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, embassies represented in Kabul which included embassies of Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, the EU delegation, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, NATO, Spain, Sweden, the UK have been issuing similar statements expressing concerns on the situation in the country.

Doha meet on Afghanistan says Taliban won't get legitimacy if they come by force

North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) members along with European Union and the United Nations on Friday confirmed that they will not recognize any government in Afghanistan imposed through armed forces.

A NATO official in Brussels also told Pajhwok Afghan News that allies are constantly consulting on the situation in Afghanistan. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg is in regular contact with Allies and the Afghan authorities.

"NATO is monitoring the security situation very closely. We continue to coordinate with the Afghan authorities and the rest of the international community. We continue to maintain our diplomatic presence in Kabul. As the security of our personnel is paramount," NATO official informed.

His remarks came soon after a media report informed that several foreign terrorist groups including Al-Qaeda are aiding the Taliban which is rapidly advancing in Afghanistan.

The Taliban escalated its offensive against the Afghan forces soon after the US forces started leaving Afghanistan in large numbers after the peace deal signed between Washington and the Taliban in February last year. On Wednesday, President Ashraf Ghani also appointed a new chief of army staff in an attempt to give a robust response to the terror group on the ground.

North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) members along with European Union and the United Nations on Friday confirmed that they will not recognize any government in Afghanistan imposed through armed forces.

North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) members along with European Union and the United Nations on Friday confirmed that they will not recognize any government in Afghanistan imposed through armed forces. A NATO official in Brussels also told Pajhwok Afghan News that allies are constantly consulting on the situation in Afghanistan. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg is in regular contact with Allies and the Afghan authorities. "NATO is monitoring the security situation very closely. We continue to coordinate with the Afghan authorities and the rest of the international community. We continue to maintain our diplomatic presence in Kabul. As the security of our personnel is paramount," NATO official informed. His remarks came soon after a media report informed that several foreign terrorist groups including Al-Qaeda are aiding the Taliban which is rapidly advancing in Afghanistan. The Taliban escalated its offensive against the Afghan forces soon after the US forces started leaving Afghanistan in large numbers after the peace deal signed between Washington and the Taliban in February last year. On Wednesday, President Ashraf Ghani also appointed a new chief of army staff in an attempt to give a robust response to the terror group on the ground.

Afghanistan: NATO, EU, UN confirm they will not recognise govt formed through military

Citizens of Afghanistan who have fled to Kabul and those who remain in Taliban-controlled regions say they have witnessed unjustified assaults on civilians and the execution of captured troops.

In addition,&nbsp;Taliban commanders have demanded that communities turn over unmarried women to become “wives” for their fighters—a form of sexual violence, human-rights groups say.&nbsp;

According to a media report on Thursday, the Taliban gains momentum in Afghanistan by taking numerous important cities. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/return-to-dark-days-taliban-impose-strict-restrictions-on-women-media-in-afghanistans-north-397124">Also read: Taliban impose strict restrictions on women, media in Afghanistan’s north</a>

In the Taliban's newly seized regions, Afghans are also seeing the Taliban's execution of captive soldiers and unjustified attacks on civilians.&nbsp;

Watch | Gravitas: What did the U.S. achieve in Afghanistan? Nothing

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-what-did-the-us-achieve-in-afghanistan-nothing-397095/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

According to information obtained by the US Embassy in Kabul on Thursday, the Taliban were executing members of the Afghan military who had surrendered.

On Twitter, the embassy wrote, "Deeply disturbing &amp; might constitute war crimes."&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
We’re hearing additional reports of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Taliban?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Taliban</a> executions of surrendering Afghan troops. Deeply disturbing &amp; could constitute war crimes.
— U.S. Embassy Kabul (@USEmbassyKabul) <a href="https://twitter.com/USEmbassyKabul/status/1425645725958955012?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Zabiullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesperson, denied the organisation had murdered any captives, claiming that doing so would be against the party's values.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/afghanistan-turmoil-taliban-claims-13th-provincial-capital-405086/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

He also denied claims that the Taliban was forcing women into marriage, saying that such measures would be against Islamic law and cultural custom.&nbsp;

Following an eight-day blitz into metropolitan centres by the Taliban, the Afghan government has virtually lost control of the majority of the nation, shocking Kabul's American supporters.

The attack began in early May after the US and its allies had almost completely withdrawn their soldiers from Afghanistan, with President Joe Biden aiming to bring the two-decade-long war to a close-by September 11.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Citizens of Afghanistan who have fled to Kabul and those who remain in Taliban-controlled regions say they have witnessed unjustified assaults on civilians and the execution of captured troops.

Citizens of Afghanistan who have fled to Kabul and those who remain in Taliban-controlled regions say they have witnessed unjustified assaults on civilians and the execution of captured troops. In addition, Taliban commanders have demanded that communities turn over unmarried women to become “wives” for their fighters—a form of sexual violence, human-rights groups say. According to a media report on Thursday, the Taliban gains momentum in Afghanistan by taking numerous important cities. Also read: Taliban impose strict restrictions on women, media in Afghanistan’s north In the Taliban's newly seized regions, Afghans are also seeing the Taliban's execution of captive soldiers and unjustified attacks on civilians. Watch | Gravitas: What did the U.S. achieve in Afghanistan? Nothing According to information obtained by the US Embassy in Kabul on Thursday, the Taliban were executing members of the Afghan military who had surrendered. On Twitter, the embassy wrote, "Deeply disturbing & might constitute war crimes." We’re hearing additional reports of #Taliban executions of surrendering Afghan troops. Deeply disturbing & could constitute war crimes. — U.S. Embassy Kabul (@USEmbassyKabul) August 12, 2021 × Zabiullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesperson, denied the organisation had murdered any captives, claiming that doing so would be against the party's values. He also denied claims that the Taliban was forcing women into marriage, saying that such measures would be against Islamic law and cultural custom. Following an eight-day blitz into metropolitan centres by the Taliban, the Afghan government has virtually lost control of the majority of the nation, shocking Kabul's American supporters. The attack began in early May after the US and its allies had almost completely withdrawn their soldiers from Afghanistan, with President Joe Biden aiming to bring the two-decade-long war to a close-by September 11. (With inputs from agencies)

Forced to be 'wives' of the Taliban: Afghan women face sexual violence 