<p>As the world is watching horrifying visuals of Afghan locals trying to escape the country by hanging to airplanes, the US Joint Chiefs Chairman said the Taliban are allowing all US citizens to reach Kabul airport to leave the country.</p>

<p>"The&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;are&nbsp;facilitating&nbsp;the safe passage to the airport for American citizens. That is US passport holders," US Joint Chiefs Chairman General Mark Miley said on Wednesday.</p>

<h2><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/live-afghanistan-crisis-taliban-may-not-last-long-says-afghan-delegation-in-pakistan-406687" hreflang="en">LIVE Afghanistan: Taliban may not last long, says Afghan delegation in Pak</a></h2>

<p>This statement came a little before the Pentagon announced that nearly 7,000 civilians have been taken out of Kabul till now.</p>

<p>Talking to local media in the US, Army Maj. Gen. Hank Taylor said that 12 C-17 aircrafts have departed with nearly 2,000 refugees in the past 24 hours.</p>

<p>In addition to this, the US now has aircrafts to bring at least 5,000 to 9,000 civilians out of Afghanistan in the next few days. However, the conditions such as their process and weather still remain huge factors in the evacuation process.</p>

<p><strong>Take a look :&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/afghani-women-call-for-help-as-taliban-takes-over-the-country-406946" hreflang="en">Afghani women call for help as Taliban takes over the country</a></strong></p>

<p>As the US soldiers stand guard of the Kabul airport, horrifying videos have surfaced on social media in which people can be seen throwing their small children over the wired walls in hopes that the American troops will save them and take them away from Taliban’s regime.</p>

<p>In such a video, the US troops can be seen helping a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/watch-woman-child-lifted-over-kabul-airport-wall-by-us-soldiers-406985">woman and a child</a> cross a tall wall as the two struggle to leave the country on any possible flight.</p>


As the world is watching horrifying visuals of Afghan locals trying to escape the country by hanging to airplanes, the US Joint Chiefs Chairman said the Taliban are allowing all US citizens to reach Kabul airport to leave the country.

As the world is watching horrifying visuals of Afghan locals trying to escape the country by hanging to airplanes, the US Joint Chiefs Chairman said the Taliban are allowing all US citizens to reach Kabul airport to leave the country. "The Taliban are facilitating the safe passage to the airport for American citizens. That is US passport holders," US Joint Chiefs Chairman General Mark Miley said on Wednesday. LIVE Afghanistan: Taliban may not last long, says Afghan delegation in Pak This statement came a little before the Pentagon announced that nearly 7,000 civilians have been taken out of Kabul till now. Talking to local media in the US, Army Maj. Gen. Hank Taylor said that 12 C-17 aircrafts have departed with nearly 2,000 refugees in the past 24 hours. In addition to this, the US now has aircrafts to bring at least 5,000 to 9,000 civilians out of Afghanistan in the next few days. However, the conditions such as their process and weather still remain huge factors in the evacuation process. Take a look : Afghani women call for help as Taliban takes over the country As the US soldiers stand guard of the Kabul airport, horrifying videos have surfaced on social media in which people can be seen throwing their small children over the wired walls in hopes that the American troops will save them and take them away from Taliban’s regime. In such a video, the US troops can be seen helping a woman and a child cross a tall wall as the two struggle to leave the country on any possible flight.

Taliban allowing US passport holders to reach Kabul airport: US general

Protests have erupted in US, UK against Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan.

Global protests erupt against Taliban's takeover of provincial cities of Afghanistan

<p>As videos emerged of<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/womens-poster-defaced-in-kabul-as-taliban-consolidates-hold-over-afghanistan-pictures-406709"> Taliban </a>fighters carrying US-made M4 and M18 assault rifles and M24 sniper weapons, the US conceded it does not have the "complete picture" while adding that "a fair amount of it has fallen into the hands of the Taliban".</p>

<p>"Obviously, we don't have a sense that they are going to readily hand it over to us," Jake Sullivan, White House National Security Advisor said.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-dont-know-how-that-happens-president-biden-says-no-way-to-withdraw-from-afghanistan-without-chaos-ensuing-406698">Also Read: President Biden says no way to withdraw from Afghanistan without 'chaos ensuing'</a></p>

<p>Taliban fighters were seen reportedly climbing on American Black Hawk helicopters as the Afghan troops were pushed back from major areas in Afghanistan.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Taliban?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Taliban</a> seized Blackhawks on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kandahar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kandahar</a> airport <a href="https://t.co/Uv9iIo1HDu">pic.twitter.com/Uv9iIo1HDu</a></p>
— C4H10FO2P (@markito0171) <a href="https://twitter.com/markito0171/status/1426488151955152896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 14, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>There were also reports of the Taliban taking&nbsp;control of US Humvees which were used extensively by the American troops during the Afghanistan operations.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">1/ Material Implications of Kabul<br />
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That my friends, is the Taliban flying a US MH-60 stealth helicopter.<br />
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We supplied the ANA special aviation and spec forces units with our top of the line gear (not second hand gear we pass to most allies), then left it all behind. <a href="https://t.co/Cm30kn9rVc">pic.twitter.com/Cm30kn9rVc</a></p>
— T (@T_Ascendent) <a href="https://twitter.com/T_Ascendent/status/1427772361634426887?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 17, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>Republican national chair Ronna McDaniel hit out against the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-dont-know-how-that-happens-president-biden-says-no-way-to-withdraw-from-afghanistan-without-chaos-ensuing-406698">Biden administration</a> over Taliban seizing US equipment saying: "Thanks to Biden's botched withdrawal, the Taliban is better equipped today than they ever have been."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">2 Mi-17's captured by <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Taliban?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Taliban</a> from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Shindand?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Shindand</a> Air Base in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Herat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Herat</a> Province <a href="https://t.co/BPS3tYVTk4">pic.twitter.com/BPS3tYVTk4</a></p>
— Lone Wolf (@Lone_wolf110) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lone_wolf110/status/1426102986367934466?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 13, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>According to official data, the US had supplied the Afghan army with over 7,000 machine guns, 4,700 Humvees and 20,000 grenades in recent years. It is still unclear how much equipment was seized by the Taliban.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Taliban forces captured four Mi-8/17 helicopters today, two of which in operational condition while the other two were undergoing maintenance at the time of capture. <a href="https://t.co/rhn4qdeRCk">pic.twitter.com/rhn4qdeRCk</a></p>
— Oryx (@oryxspioenkop) <a href="https://twitter.com/oryxspioenkop/status/1426113294117609472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 13, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong>Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of the videos</strong></p>

<p><strong>Social Media -Twitter: Courtesy: @Lone Wolf,&nbsp;@markito0171, @T_Ascendent,&nbsp;@oryxspioenkop</strong></p>

<p>(With inputs from Agencies)</p>


As videos emerged of Taliban fighters carrying US-made M4 and M18 assault rifles and M24 sniper weapons, the US conceded it does not have the "complete picture" while adding that "a fair amount of it has fallen into the hands of the Taliban".

As videos emerged of Taliban fighters carrying US-made M4 and M18 assault rifles and M24 sniper weapons, the US conceded it does not have the "complete picture" while adding that "a fair amount of it has fallen into the hands of the Taliban". "Obviously, we don't have a sense that they are going to readily hand it over to us," Jake Sullivan, White House National Security Advisor said. Also Read: President Biden says no way to withdraw from Afghanistan without 'chaos ensuing' Taliban fighters were seen reportedly climbing on American Black Hawk helicopters as the Afghan troops were pushed back from major areas in Afghanistan. #Taliban seized Blackhawks on #Kandahar airport pic.twitter.com/Uv9iIo1HDu — C4H10FO2P (@markito0171) August 14, 2021 × There were also reports of the Taliban taking control of US Humvees which were used extensively by the American troops during the Afghanistan operations. 1/ Material Implications of Kabul That my friends, is the Taliban flying a US MH-60 stealth helicopter. We supplied the ANA special aviation and spec forces units with our top of the line gear (not second hand gear we pass to most allies), then left it all behind. pic.twitter.com/Cm30kn9rVc — T (@T_Ascendent) August 17, 2021 × Republican national chair Ronna McDaniel hit out against the Biden administration over Taliban seizing US equipment saying: "Thanks to Biden's botched withdrawal, the Taliban is better equipped today than they ever have been." 2 Mi-17's captured by #Taliban from #Shindand Air Base in #Herat Province pic.twitter.com/BPS3tYVTk4 — Lone Wolf (@Lone_wolf110) August 13, 2021 × According to official data, the US had supplied the Afghan army with over 7,000 machine guns, 4,700 Humvees and 20,000 grenades in recent years. It is still unclear how much equipment was seized by the Taliban. Taliban forces captured four Mi-8/17 helicopters today, two of which in operational condition while the other two were undergoing maintenance at the time of capture. pic.twitter.com/rhn4qdeRCk — Oryx (@oryxspioenkop) August 13, 2021 × Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of the videos Social Media -Twitter: Courtesy: @Lone Wolf, @markito0171, @T_Ascendent, @oryxspioenkop (With inputs from Agencies)

Taliban seizes Blackhawk helicopter, US assault rifles - WATCH

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="3">A Pentagon official claimed that the Taliban's fast march to destabilise the Afghan government in such a short period of time could not have been predicted.&nbsp;</p>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="5">"There was nothing that I, or anyone else, saw that indicated a collapse of this army and this government in 11 days," United States Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Mark Milley was quoted as saying by the news agency AFP.</p>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="6">The US military, which just departed from Afghanistan after 20 years of occupation, has been widely chastised for the withdrawal, which was authorised by the Joe Biden administration.</p>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="7">Critics claim that the government's hasty departure of US forces resulted in the country falling under Taliban control, leaving Afghans to fend for themselves.&nbsp;</p>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="8">"The Afghan security forces had the capacity, and by that I mean they had the training, the size, the capability, to defend their country. This comes down to an issue of will and leadership, " the US top general said in defence of the US army, AFP reported.</p>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="9">Similarly, US Vice President Joe Biden supported his administration's decision to remove troops from Afghanistan.</p>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="10">Biden declared on Monday, August 16th, in his first address since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, that he "squarely stood by his judgement."&nbsp;</p>

<p data-changed="false" data-paragraphid="11"><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A Pentagon official claimed that the Taliban's fast march to destabilise the Afghan government in such a short period of time could not have been predicted. "There was nothing that I, or anyone else, saw that indicated a collapse of this army and this government in 11 days," United States Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Mark Milley was quoted as saying by the news agency AFP.

A Pentagon official claimed that the Taliban's fast march to destabilise the Afghan government in such a short period of time could not have been predicted. "There was nothing that I, or anyone else, saw that indicated a collapse of this army and this government in 11 days," United States Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Mark Milley was quoted as saying by the news agency AFP. The US military, which just departed from Afghanistan after 20 years of occupation, has been widely chastised for the withdrawal, which was authorised by the Joe Biden administration. Critics claim that the government's hasty departure of US forces resulted in the country falling under Taliban control, leaving Afghans to fend for themselves. "The Afghan security forces had the capacity, and by that I mean they had the training, the size, the capability, to defend their country. This comes down to an issue of will and leadership, " the US top general said in defence of the US army, AFP reported. Similarly, US Vice President Joe Biden supported his administration's decision to remove troops from Afghanistan. Biden declared on Monday, August 16th, in his first address since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, that he "squarely stood by his judgement." (With inputs from agencies)

'Nothing Indicated collapse of Afghanistan in 11 days': Top US General

<p>Zaki Anwari, a 19-year-old Afghan national junior team player, died in a fall from a US jet at Kabul airport on Monday, according to Afghan news agency Ariana.</p>

<p>Anwari died after falling from a US Air Force Boeing C-17 plane, according to Ariana, and his death was confirmed by the General Directorate for Sport.</p>

<p>According to previous accounts, two passengers died after falling from the plane.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-the-afghanistan-crisis-afghans-are-paying-for-americas-mistakes-406131/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>Crowds of people seeking to flee Afghanistan have thronged the airport since Taliban insurgents swept to power on Sunday, many seen trying to board a moving plane.</p>

<p>Thousands of Afghans went to Hamid Karzai International Airport on Monday, the day after the Taliban took control of the Afghan capital, seeking to board a flight out of the country.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Zaki Anwari, a 19-year-old Afghan national junior team player, died in a fall from a US jet at Kabul airport on Monday, according to Afghan news agency Ariana. Anwari died after falling from a US Air Force Boeing C-17 plane, according to Ariana, and his death was confirmed by the General Directorate for Sport.

Zaki Anwari, a 19-year-old Afghan national junior team player, died in a fall from a US jet at Kabul airport on Monday, according to Afghan news agency Ariana. Anwari died after falling from a US Air Force Boeing C-17 plane, according to Ariana, and his death was confirmed by the General Directorate for Sport. According to previous accounts, two passengers died after falling from the plane. Watch: Crowds of people seeking to flee Afghanistan have thronged the airport since Taliban insurgents swept to power on Sunday, many seen trying to board a moving plane. Thousands of Afghans went to Hamid Karzai International Airport on Monday, the day after the Taliban took control of the Afghan capital, seeking to board a flight out of the country. (With inputs from agencies)

Afghan national team's footballer died in fall from US plane at Kabul airport: Report

<p>Protesters took to the streets to rally against Taliban rule for the second day Thursday, this time marching in Kabul, including near the presidential palace. At one demonstration in the city, about 200 people had gathered before the Taliban broke it up violently.</p>

<p>Several people were killed in the eastern city of Asadabad when Taliban fighters fired on people waving the national flag at a rally Thursday, Afghanistan’s annual Independence Day, according to a witness cited by Reuters.</p>

<p>It was not clear whether the casualties had come from the gunshots or from a stampede they set off, the witness, Mohammed Salim, was quoted by the news agency as saying.</p>

<p>It was a remarkable display of defiance, coming just one day after violence broke out at protests in two other cities, with Taliban members shooting into crowds and beating demonstrators.</p>

<p>It was also further evidence that while tens of thousands are now seeking escape, there were many more left behind and determined to have a voice in the kind of state where they live.</p>

<p>After sweeping so quickly into power, the reality of governing a changed nation is proving as difficult for the Taliban as their military blitz across the nation’s provinces was fast.</p>

<p>Many critical workers are hiding in their homes, fearful of retribution despite promises of amnesty. And services like electricity, sanitation and clean water could soon be affected, aid agencies say.</p>

<p>While the Taliban, for now, have a monopoly on the use of force, there is no functioning police service in any traditional sense. Instead, former fighters are patrolling checkpoints and — in many cases, according to witness accounts — administering the law as they see fit.</p>

<p>The Taliban leadership’s suggestion this week that the brutality that defined their rule two decades ago was a thing of the past has not always been matched by the actions of the foot soldiers on the street.</p>

<p>Taliban members are intensifying a search for people who they believe worked with U.S. and NATO forces, including among the crowds of Afghans outside Kabul’s airport, and have threatened to kill or arrest their family members if they cannot find them, according to a confidential United Nations document.</p>

<p>Afghans, fleeing the country, face violence from the Taliban on the dangerous road to the airport, where the U.S. military has tried to quell the continued chaos. The sound of fighter jets roaring over Kabul was nearly constant Thursday as more U.S. and international forces raced to evacuate foreign nationals, many still trapped outside the airport.</p>

<p>As they struggle with the immediate crisis, the Taliban is facing threats to the long-term stability of the state. The new regime is finding itself frozen out financially.</p>

<p>The International Monetary Fund said Wednesday that it would block Afghanistan’s access to about $460 million in emergency reserves, a decision that followed pressure from the Biden administration. An agreement reached in November among more than 60 countries to send Afghanistan $12 billion over the next four years is also in doubt.</p>

<p>The assistance is critical in a country where the U.N. estimates that many are going hungry.</p>

<p>“That’s 14 million people, including 2 million children who are malnourished,” the World Food Program said in a statement.</p>

<p>Some protests turned violent when demonstrators tried to tear down the new Taliban flag and replace it with the tricolors of the Afghan one.</p>

<p>“Salute those who carry the national flag and thus stand for dignity of the nation and the country,” a top official for the deposed Afghan government, Amrullah Saleh, wrote on Twitter.</p>

<p>In the 20th century, there have been at least 19 iterations of the flag.</p>

<p>Afghanistan — a nation with a brutal history, but also home to beautiful natural wonders and a quilt of cultures — is now the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.</p>

<p>The Taliban reasserted its new regime in a Tweet on Thursday commemorating the anniversary of independence from British rule more than a century ago.</p>

<p>That anniversary was also the occasion for the street protests, with many calling for independence from Taliban rule.</p>


Protesters took to the streets to rally against Taliban rule for the second day Thursday, this time marching in Kabul, including near the presidential palace. At one demonstration in the city, about 200 people had gathered before the Taliban broke it up violently.

Protesters took to the streets to rally against Taliban rule for the second day Thursday, this time marching in Kabul, including near the presidential palace. At one demonstration in the city, about 200 people had gathered before the Taliban broke it up violently. Several people were killed in the eastern city of Asadabad when Taliban fighters fired on people waving the national flag at a rally Thursday, Afghanistan’s annual Independence Day, according to a witness cited by Reuters. It was not clear whether the casualties had come from the gunshots or from a stampede they set off, the witness, Mohammed Salim, was quoted by the news agency as saying. It was a remarkable display of defiance, coming just one day after violence broke out at protests in two other cities, with Taliban members shooting into crowds and beating demonstrators. It was also further evidence that while tens of thousands are now seeking escape, there were many more left behind and determined to have a voice in the kind of state where they live. After sweeping so quickly into power, the reality of governing a changed nation is proving as difficult for the Taliban as their military blitz across the nation’s provinces was fast. Many critical workers are hiding in their homes, fearful of retribution despite promises of amnesty. And services like electricity, sanitation and clean water could soon be affected, aid agencies say. While the Taliban, for now, have a monopoly on the use of force, there is no functioning police service in any traditional sense. Instead, former fighters are patrolling checkpoints and — in many cases, according to witness accounts — administering the law as they see fit. The Taliban leadership’s suggestion this week that the brutality that defined their rule two decades ago was a thing of the past has not always been matched by the actions of the foot soldiers on the street. Taliban members are intensifying a search for people who they believe worked with U.S. and NATO forces, including among the crowds of Afghans outside Kabul’s airport, and have threatened to kill or arrest their family members if they cannot find them, according to a confidential United Nations document. Afghans, fleeing the country, face violence from the Taliban on the dangerous road to the airport, where the U.S. military has tried to quell the continued chaos. The sound of fighter jets roaring over Kabul was nearly constant Thursday as more U.S. and international forces raced to evacuate foreign nationals, many still trapped outside the airport. As they struggle with the immediate crisis, the Taliban is facing threats to the long-term stability of the state. The new regime is finding itself frozen out financially. The International Monetary Fund said Wednesday that it would block Afghanistan’s access to about $460 million in emergency reserves, a decision that followed pressure from the Biden administration. An agreement reached in November among more than 60 countries to send Afghanistan $12 billion over the next four years is also in doubt. The assistance is critical in a country where the U.N. estimates that many are going hungry. “That’s 14 million people, including 2 million children who are malnourished,” the World Food Program said in a statement. Some protests turned violent when demonstrators tried to tear down the new Taliban flag and replace it with the tricolors of the Afghan one. “Salute those who carry the national flag and thus stand for dignity of the nation and the country,” a top official for the deposed Afghan government, Amrullah Saleh, wrote on Twitter. In the 20th century, there have been at least 19 iterations of the flag. Afghanistan — a nation with a brutal history, but also home to beautiful natural wonders and a quilt of cultures — is now the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. The Taliban reasserted its new regime in a Tweet on Thursday commemorating the anniversary of independence from British rule more than a century ago. That anniversary was also the occasion for the street protests, with many calling for independence from Taliban rule.

As demonstrations spread, Taliban face growing challenges

Mass evacuations from Afghanistan are continuing at a frantic pace, chaotic scenes continue to emerge from the Kabul airport. WION brings you a ground report from outside the Kabul airport.

WION Ground Report: Chaotic scenes outside Kabul airport

President Joe Biden said on Wednesday that US troops won't leave any Americans behind in Afghanistan. "If there are American citizens left, we're going to stay to get them all out," Biden said. US leaders have said that they are sticking to an August 31 deadline for removing US troops from Afghanistan.

If there are American citizens left, we're going to stay to get them all out: US President Joe Biden

Former Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said on Wednesday that he hopes to return home, after fleeing to the United Arab Emirates after the Taliban's capture of Afghanistan.

Former Afghan President Ashraf Ghani says he hopes to return to Afghanistan

UK foreign secretary Dominic Raab has been facing backlash after it was reported that help for Afghan interpreters was delayed because he was on holiday. The opposition has accused the leader of putting interpreters’ lives at risk in Afghanistan.

UK foreign secretary Dominic Raab criticised for failing to make an urgent call

<p>Russian forein minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday that anti-Taliban forces led by deposed Afghan vice-president Amrullah Saleh and Ahmad Massoud were gathering in Panjshir Valley. Massoud is the son of a slain anti-Taliban fighter. Panjshir lies in the north of Kabul.</p>

<p>"The Taliban doesn't control the whole territory of Afghanistan," Lavrov told reporters at a press conference in Moscow following a meeting with his Libyan counterpart.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"There are reports of the situation in the Panjshir Valley where the resistance of Afghanistan's vice president Mr Saleh and Ahmad Massoud is concentrated," he said.</p>

<p>Lavrov reiterated his call for an inclusive dialogue involving all political players in Afghanistan in order to form a "representative government"</p>

<p>Panjshir valley, known for its natural defenses is is Afghanistan's last remaining holdout. Saleh&nbsp;and Massoud are pulling together a guerilla movement to take on Taliban.</p>

<p>Moscow has been cautiously optimistic about the new leadership in Kabul and is seeking contact with the militants in an effort to avoid instability spilling over to neighbouring ex-Soviet states.</p>

<p>While the United States and other countries rushed to evacuate their citizens from Kabul, Russia said its embassy will continue to function.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters on Thursday that the Taliban are "actively restoring order" and have demonstrated their "intent to dialogue".&nbsp;</p>

<p>She said at her weekly press briefing that the militant group -- known for its severe treatment of women -- is "ready to take into account the interest of citizens, including... women's rights".&nbsp;</p>

<p>Earlier this week, Russia's ambassador to Afghanistan Dmitry Zhirnov met with the Taliban in Kabul, hailing on state television a "positive and constructive" meeting.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Kremlin has in recent years reached out to the Taliban -- which is banned as an "extremist" group in Russia -- and hosted its representatives in Moscow several times, most recently last month.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Russian forein minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday that anti-Taliban forces led by deposed Afghan vice-president Amrullah Saleh and Ahmad Massoud were gathering in Panjshir Valley.

Russian forein minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday that anti-Taliban forces led by deposed Afghan vice-president Amrullah Saleh and Ahmad Massoud were gathering in Panjshir Valley. Massoud is the son of a slain anti-Taliban fighter. Panjshir lies in the north of Kabul. "The Taliban doesn't control the whole territory of Afghanistan," Lavrov told reporters at a press conference in Moscow following a meeting with his Libyan counterpart. "There are reports of the situation in the Panjshir Valley where the resistance of Afghanistan's vice president Mr Saleh and Ahmad Massoud is concentrated," he said. Lavrov reiterated his call for an inclusive dialogue involving all political players in Afghanistan in order to form a "representative government" Panjshir valley, known for its natural defenses is is Afghanistan's last remaining holdout. Saleh and Massoud are pulling together a guerilla movement to take on Taliban. Moscow has been cautiously optimistic about the new leadership in Kabul and is seeking contact with the militants in an effort to avoid instability spilling over to neighbouring ex-Soviet states. While the United States and other countries rushed to evacuate their citizens from Kabul, Russia said its embassy will continue to function. Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters on Thursday that the Taliban are "actively restoring order" and have demonstrated their "intent to dialogue". She said at her weekly press briefing that the militant group -- known for its severe treatment of women -- is "ready to take into account the interest of citizens, including... women's rights". Earlier this week, Russia's ambassador to Afghanistan Dmitry Zhirnov met with the Taliban in Kabul, hailing on state television a "positive and constructive" meeting. The Kremlin has in recent years reached out to the Taliban -- which is banned as an "extremist" group in Russia -- and hosted its representatives in Moscow several times, most recently last month. (With inputs from agencies)

Russia says anti-Taliban forces are gathering north of Kabul

Afghanistan's Vice President Amrullah Saleh has stayed behind & is building an anti-Taliban resistance in Panjshir Valley. This is a region the Taliban has never managed to conquer. Who is Amrullah Saleh? Can he bring down the Taliban? Palki Sharma gets you a report.

Gravitas: Amrullah Saleh: The face of anti-Taliban resistance

With the Taliban set to control the new Afghan government, world leaders are struggling to define their relationship with the group. Will governments recognise the Taliban or reject their rule? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: Will social media cancel the Taliban?

Taliban's tall promises on women's rights have been busted by their actions on the ground. As Afghan women fight to protect their gains, WION launches #SaveAfghanWomen to tell their stories. Palki Sharma tells you how you can join in.

Gravitas | Taliban presser: Lies & propaganda

3 days after taking Kabul, The Taliban has unleashed its reign of terror. The Taliban today opened fire on Afghans in Jalalabad. Government officials & captured soldiers are being "executed" outside Kabul. Palki Sharma has more.

Gravitas: The Taliban unleashes its reign of terror

<p>With the Taliban taking over Afghanistan, the future of women in the country has become a concerning topic. Taliban are expected to run the state under Sharia Laws which is expected to negatively impact women's rights in the country.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/after-taliban-takeover-can-afghan-cricket-board-lose-iccs-full-membership-406916" hreflang="en">After Taliban takeover, can Afghan Cricket Board lose ICC's full membership?</a></p>

<p>Now, a former Afghanistan women's football team captain has urged the players to burn their kits, delete social media, and erase public identities as the country has returned under the rule of the Taliban and they have killed, raped and stoned women in the past.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Khalida Popal, who is also the co-founder of the Afghan women's football league, said she had always used her voice to encourage young women "to stand strong, to be bold, to be visible" but now she had a different message.</p>

<p>"Today I'm calling them and telling them, take down their names, remove their identities, take down their photos for their safety. Even I'm telling them to burn down or get rid of your national team uniform," she said in an interview to Reuters.</p>

<p>"And that is painful for me, for someone as an activist who stood up and did everything possible to achieve and earn that identity as a women's national team player.</p>

<p>"To earn that badge on the chest, to have the right to play and represent our country, how much we were proud."</p>

<p>According to Popal, football played a crucial role in empowering the women in her country and enabled them to take a strong stand for their rights and to defy those who would have them silenced.</p>

<p>"They are so afraid. They are worried, they are scared, not only the players, but also the activists... they have nobody to go to, to seek protection, to ask for help if they are in danger," she said of the situation now.</p>

<p>"They are afraid that any time the door will be knocked.</p>

<p>"What we are seeing is a country collapsing," she added. "All the pride, happiness to be there to empower women and men of the country is like it was just wasted."</p>

<p><em>(Inputs from Agency)</em></p>


With the Taliban taking over Afghanistan, the future of women in the country has become a concerning topic. Taliban are expected to run the state under Sharia Laws which is expected to negatively impact women's rights in the country.

With the Taliban taking over Afghanistan, the future of women in the country has become a concerning topic. Taliban are expected to run the state under Sharia Laws which is expected to negatively impact women's rights in the country. ALSO READ: After Taliban takeover, can Afghan Cricket Board lose ICC's full membership? Now, a former Afghanistan women's football team captain has urged the players to burn their kits, delete social media, and erase public identities as the country has returned under the rule of the Taliban and they have killed, raped and stoned women in the past. Khalida Popal, who is also the co-founder of the Afghan women's football league, said she had always used her voice to encourage young women "to stand strong, to be bold, to be visible" but now she had a different message. "Today I'm calling them and telling them, take down their names, remove their identities, take down their photos for their safety. Even I'm telling them to burn down or get rid of your national team uniform," she said in an interview to Reuters. "And that is painful for me, for someone as an activist who stood up and did everything possible to achieve and earn that identity as a women's national team player. "To earn that badge on the chest, to have the right to play and represent our country, how much we were proud." According to Popal, football played a crucial role in empowering the women in her country and enabled them to take a strong stand for their rights and to defy those who would have them silenced. "They are so afraid. They are worried, they are scared, not only the players, but also the activists... they have nobody to go to, to seek protection, to ask for help if they are in danger," she said of the situation now. "They are afraid that any time the door will be knocked. "What we are seeing is a country collapsing," she added. "All the pride, happiness to be there to empower women and men of the country is like it was just wasted." (Inputs from Agency)

After Taliban's takeover, former Afghan women's football captain urges players to burn kits

<p>Afghanistan’s biggest pop star has fled the country on a US flight out of Kabul as the Taliban took control over the capital city of Kabul and the country’s government collapsed in totality.&nbsp;</p>

<p>With the Taliban’s rise in Afghanistan, democracy will crumble as the militant group announced to impose strict Sharia law. According to the new establishment in Afghanistan, women in general will have most of their rights quashed including having to cover themselves in burqa (head to toe covering), not leave their homes without a man as an escort or their right to education. The Taliban now also says that religious scholars will decide whether girls can go to school and if women can work.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Thus the pop star Aryana Sayeed, a singer and judge on the Afghan version of The Voice, fled the country on a US cargo jet. Sharing with her fans the news of her escape, she shared a picture from the plane. In another post, she can be seen sleeping with her mask on as the caption reads: “I am well and alive and after a couple of unforgettable nights, I have reached Doha, Qatar and am awaiting my eventual flight back home to Istanbul.”</p>

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<p>“After I get home and my mind and emotions return back to normal from a world of disbelief and shock, I have many stories to share with you.”</p>

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<p>Aryana has been a prominent supporter of the Afghan Army and spoke out many times in support of them before the Taliban took the country. She is married to Hasib Sayed, who is also her producer.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Afghani director Hassan Fazili has <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-afghan-director-hassan-fazili-on-taliban-filmmaking-is-on-the-verge-of-destruction-now-406886">expressed concerns</a> not just over the safety of his fellow Afghans back home, but also the overall state of art and culture under the impending Taliban regime. "Even if we just pray or hope that the common Afghanis won’t have to face any execution or arrest, there’s simply no denying that the culture, cultural aesthetics or movement will stop. Filmmaking or performing art seems to be on the verge of destruction now."</p>


Afghanistan’s biggest pop star has fled the country on a US flight out of Kabul as the Taliban took control over the capital city of Kabul and the country’s government collapsed in totality.

Afghanistan’s biggest pop star has fled the country on a US flight out of Kabul as the Taliban took control over the capital city of Kabul and the country’s government collapsed in totality. With the Taliban’s rise in Afghanistan, democracy will crumble as the militant group announced to impose strict Sharia law. According to the new establishment in Afghanistan, women in general will have most of their rights quashed including having to cover themselves in burqa (head to toe covering), not leave their homes without a man as an escort or their right to education. The Taliban now also says that religious scholars will decide whether girls can go to school and if women can work. Thus the pop star Aryana Sayeed, a singer and judge on the Afghan version of The Voice, fled the country on a US cargo jet. Sharing with her fans the news of her escape, she shared a picture from the plane. In another post, she can be seen sleeping with her mask on as the caption reads: “I am well and alive and after a couple of unforgettable nights, I have reached Doha, Qatar and am awaiting my eventual flight back home to Istanbul.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝝠𝗥𝗬𝝠𝗡𝝠 𝗦𝝠𝗬𝗘𝗘𝗗 👑 آریانا سعید (@aryanasayeedofficial) × “After I get home and my mind and emotions return back to normal from a world of disbelief and shock, I have many stories to share with you.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝝠𝗥𝗬𝝠𝗡𝝠 𝗦𝝠𝗬𝗘𝗘𝗗 👑 آریانا سعید (@aryanasayeedofficial) × Aryana has been a prominent supporter of the Afghan Army and spoke out many times in support of them before the Taliban took the country. She is married to Hasib Sayed, who is also her producer. Meanwhile, Afghani director Hassan Fazili has expressed concerns not just over the safety of his fellow Afghans back home, but also the overall state of art and culture under the impending Taliban regime. "Even if we just pray or hope that the common Afghanis won’t have to face any execution or arrest, there’s simply no denying that the culture, cultural aesthetics or movement will stop. Filmmaking or performing art seems to be on the verge of destruction now."

Afghan pop star Aryana flees from country amid fear of life under Taliban rule

<p>Abu Omar Khorasani was taken from Kabul’s Pul-i-Charkhi prison and unceremoniously shot. The first and only person to have been executed since the Taliban gained full control of Afghanistan, Mr Khorasani was the head of the Islamic State in South Asia until he was arrested by government forces last year.</p>

<p>The precise circumstances of his execution are not known. His killing was, however, at least in part designed to send a message to the international community, and particularly Afghanistan’s neighbours, including China and Iran, as well as Russia, Central Asia’s security overlord.</p>

<p>The message was that the Taliban were cracking down on foreign jihadists and militants in Afghanistan. Mr Khorasani was an easy symbol. The Taliban and the Islamic State, whose ranks of foreigners are primarily populated by Pakistanis and a sprinkling of Central Asians, Uighurs, Russians, Turks, Iranians, Indonesians, Indians, and Frenchmen, have long been adversarial. The Islamic State recently accused the Taliban of being more nationalist than pious in their negotiations with the United States.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/opinion-return-of-taliban-what-does-it-mean-for-india-and-the-world-406612">Opinion | Return of Taliban: What does it mean for India and the World?</a></strong></p>

<p>The Taliban message is a partial truth at best. What is true for the Islamic State is not true for Al-Qaeda and others such as the Uighur Turkestan Islamic Party (TIP) and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan.</p>

<p>The Taliban appear to believe that they can get away with the differentiation because they perceived the United States as more focused in the withdrawal negotiations on ensuring that the Islamic State, Al-Qaeda, and other militants will not be allowed to use Afghanistan as a base for international operations rather than on getting them expelled from the country.</p>

<p>The perceived US focus may have been rooted in a concern that if Taliban’s hands were forced, they would let militants slip out of the country and not hand them over to authorities. That would make it difficult to control their movements or ensure that they are either entered into deradicalization programs or, if warranted, brought to justice.</p>

<p>“It’s a Catch-22. The Taliban ensuring that Al Qaeda sticks to rule risks putting a fox in charge of the chicken coop. How much better that is than having foxes run wild remains to be seen,” said a retired counter-terrorism official.</p>

<p>Officials of the Trump administration that negotiated the agreement suggest that the continued presence of Al-Qaeda and other militants in Afghanistan would violate the accord with the Taliban.</p>

<p>Former US Vice President Mike Pence as well as Trump era State Department counterterrorism coordinator Nathan Sales argued that the deal “required the Taliban…to refuse terrorists safe harbour.”</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-too-big-for-pakistan-to-swallow-says-self-proclaimed-president-amarullah-saleh-406900">Afghanistan too big for Pakistan to swallow, says self-proclaimed president Amarullah Saleh</a></strong></p>

<p>Russia and China, while publicly more measured in their statements, are likely to share western concerns.&nbsp;Russia held military drills earlier this month with Tajik and Uzbek troops in Tajikistan, 20 kilometres from the border with Afghanistan.</p>

<p>Al-Qaeda may have been boosted in recent weeks by multiple prison breaks in which the Taliban freed operatives of Al-Qaeda and other militant groups. It remains unclear however to what degree the breaks will help the group strengthen its presence in Afghanistan.</p>

<p>General Mark Milley, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, warned this week that Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State could quickly rebuild their networks in Afghanistan.</p>

<p>The United Nations recently reported that Al-Qaeda “is present in at least 15 Afghan provinces”, and that its affiliate in the Indian subcontinent, “operates under Taliban protection from Kandahar, Helmand and Nimruz provinces.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Without information on who exactly escaped, it is difficult to determine whether historically significant figures remain within AQ’s AfPak network, or if it is mainly composed of newer figures these days, whether local or regional foreign fighters,” cautioned political violence scholar Aaron Y. Zelin. Mr Zelin was referring to Al-Qaeda’s Afghanistan-Pakistan network.</p>

<p>Also unclear is whether Al-Qaeda operatives in Iran will be allowed to relocate to Afghanistan.<br />
The prison breaks further go to concerns about relying on the Taliban to police jihadists and other militants with aspirations beyond Afghanistan’s borders. Of particular concern is the fact that the balance of power has yet to be determined between Taliban leaders who in recent days have been eager to put a more moderate, accommodating foot forward with security guarantees for their opponents, minorities and women and the group’s far-flung less polished rank and file.</p>

<p>The concern about the Taliban’s ability and willingness to control militant activity on Afghan soil is magnified by worry regarding the continued existence of warlords with the power to organise violence, provide jobs and public services, and forge or strengthen ties with militants.</p>

<p>“Warlords will play an active role in the future of Afghanistan. They will remain businessmen and political leaders, connected to global economic processes and networks. They will develop the military power that they need to control territory and wage war. They will, finally, continue to fight for more autonomy and, in some cases, might even manage to partially form their old regional polities once again,” said Romain Malejacq, author of a book on Afghan warlords.</p>

<p>“Afghanistan’s availability as a sanctuary for terrorists is, to say the least, related to its status as a warlord-ridden wasteland,” said journalist and author Graeme Wood.</p>

<p>The Taliban’s refusal to expel militants not only complicates the group’s efforts to garner legitimacy in the international community and particularly its neighbours, even if Al-Qaeda has been significantly weakened since 9/11 and is less focussed on attacking the United States and more on the Muslim world.</p>

<p>It also strengthens those who fear that Afghanistan will again emerge as a launching pad for trans-national political violence. “We are going to go back to a pre-9/11 state—a breeding ground for terrorism,” warned Michael McCaul, the ranking Republican member of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee. “They (the Taliban) will not restrict terrorist groups, just ask them to operate low-key,” added Douglas London, a former head of CIA counterterrorism operations for South and Southwest Asia.</p>

<p>The Taliban proved already 20 years ago that they valued loyalty when they rejected US and Saudi pressure to hand over Osama bin Laden no matter the cost. The Taliban have since come to appreciate Al Qaeda’s fighting skills and contributions to the Afghan militants’ cause.</p>

<p>Taliban fighters this week, in a violation of their pledge to inclusiveness, demonstrated their ideological anti-Shiite affinity with Al-Qaeda by blowing up a statue of Abdul Ali Mazari, a Shiite Hazara militia leader killed by the Taliban when they first took power in 1996.</p>

<p><strong>(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)</strong></p>


Abu Omar Khorasani was taken from Kabul’s Pul-i-Charkhi prison and unceremoniously shot. The first and only person to have been executed since the Taliban gained full control of Afghanistan, Mr Khorasani was the head of the Islamic State in South Asia until he was arrested by government forces last year.

Abu Omar Khorasani was taken from Kabul’s Pul-i-Charkhi prison and unceremoniously shot. The first and only person to have been executed since the Taliban gained full control of Afghanistan, Mr Khorasani was the head of the Islamic State in South Asia until he was arrested by government forces last year. The precise circumstances of his execution are not known. His killing was, however, at least in part designed to send a message to the international community, and particularly Afghanistan’s neighbours, including China and Iran, as well as Russia, Central Asia’s security overlord. The message was that the Taliban were cracking down on foreign jihadists and militants in Afghanistan. Mr Khorasani was an easy symbol. The Taliban and the Islamic State, whose ranks of foreigners are primarily populated by Pakistanis and a sprinkling of Central Asians, Uighurs, Russians, Turks, Iranians, Indonesians, Indians, and Frenchmen, have long been adversarial. The Islamic State recently accused the Taliban of being more nationalist than pious in their negotiations with the United States. Also Read: Opinion | Return of Taliban: What does it mean for India and the World? The Taliban message is a partial truth at best. What is true for the Islamic State is not true for Al-Qaeda and others such as the Uighur Turkestan Islamic Party (TIP) and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan. The Taliban appear to believe that they can get away with the differentiation because they perceived the United States as more focused in the withdrawal negotiations on ensuring that the Islamic State, Al-Qaeda, and other militants will not be allowed to use Afghanistan as a base for international operations rather than on getting them expelled from the country. The perceived US focus may have been rooted in a concern that if Taliban’s hands were forced, they would let militants slip out of the country and not hand them over to authorities. That would make it difficult to control their movements or ensure that they are either entered into deradicalization programs or, if warranted, brought to justice. “It’s a Catch-22. The Taliban ensuring that Al Qaeda sticks to rule risks putting a fox in charge of the chicken coop. How much better that is than having foxes run wild remains to be seen,” said a retired counter-terrorism official. Officials of the Trump administration that negotiated the agreement suggest that the continued presence of Al-Qaeda and other militants in Afghanistan would violate the accord with the Taliban. Former US Vice President Mike Pence as well as Trump era State Department counterterrorism coordinator Nathan Sales argued that the deal “required the Taliban…to refuse terrorists safe harbour.” Also Read | Afghanistan too big for Pakistan to swallow, says self-proclaimed president Amarullah Saleh Russia and China, while publicly more measured in their statements, are likely to share western concerns. Russia held military drills earlier this month with Tajik and Uzbek troops in Tajikistan, 20 kilometres from the border with Afghanistan. Al-Qaeda may have been boosted in recent weeks by multiple prison breaks in which the Taliban freed operatives of Al-Qaeda and other militant groups. It remains unclear however to what degree the breaks will help the group strengthen its presence in Afghanistan. General Mark Milley, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, warned this week that Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State could quickly rebuild their networks in Afghanistan. The United Nations recently reported that Al-Qaeda “is present in at least 15 Afghan provinces”, and that its affiliate in the Indian subcontinent, “operates under Taliban protection from Kandahar, Helmand and Nimruz provinces.” “Without information on who exactly escaped, it is difficult to determine whether historically significant figures remain within AQ’s AfPak network, or if it is mainly composed of newer figures these days, whether local or regional foreign fighters,” cautioned political violence scholar Aaron Y. Zelin. Mr Zelin was referring to Al-Qaeda’s Afghanistan-Pakistan network. Also unclear is whether Al-Qaeda operatives in Iran will be allowed to relocate to Afghanistan. The prison breaks further go to concerns about relying on the Taliban to police jihadists and other militants with aspirations beyond Afghanistan’s borders. Of particular concern is the fact that the balance of power has yet to be determined between Taliban leaders who in recent days have been eager to put a more moderate, accommodating foot forward with security guarantees for their opponents, minorities and women and the group’s far-flung less polished rank and file. The concern about the Taliban’s ability and willingness to control militant activity on Afghan soil is magnified by worry regarding the continued existence of warlords with the power to organise violence, provide jobs and public services, and forge or strengthen ties with militants. “Warlords will play an active role in the future of Afghanistan. They will remain businessmen and political leaders, connected to global economic processes and networks. They will develop the military power that they need to control territory and wage war. They will, finally, continue to fight for more autonomy and, in some cases, might even manage to partially form their old regional polities once again,” said Romain Malejacq, author of a book on Afghan warlords. “Afghanistan’s availability as a sanctuary for terrorists is, to say the least, related to its status as a warlord-ridden wasteland,” said journalist and author Graeme Wood. The Taliban’s refusal to expel militants not only complicates the group’s efforts to garner legitimacy in the international community and particularly its neighbours, even if Al-Qaeda has been significantly weakened since 9/11 and is less focussed on attacking the United States and more on the Muslim world. It also strengthens those who fear that Afghanistan will again emerge as a launching pad for trans-national political violence. “We are going to go back to a pre-9/11 state—a breeding ground for terrorism,” warned Michael McCaul, the ranking Republican member of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee. “They (the Taliban) will not restrict terrorist groups, just ask them to operate low-key,” added Douglas London, a former head of CIA counterterrorism operations for South and Southwest Asia. The Taliban proved already 20 years ago that they valued loyalty when they rejected US and Saudi pressure to hand over Osama bin Laden no matter the cost. The Taliban have since come to appreciate Al Qaeda’s fighting skills and contributions to the Afghan militants’ cause. Taliban fighters this week, in a violation of their pledge to inclusiveness, demonstrated their ideological anti-Shiite affinity with Al-Qaeda by blowing up a statue of Abdul Ali Mazari, a Shiite Hazara militia leader killed by the Taliban when they first took power in 1996. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

Opinion | Taliban and Al-Qaeda: Putting a fox in charge of the chicken coop?

<p>Self-proclaimed president of Afghanistan Amrullah Saleh on Thursday trained his guns at Pakistan and Taliban. Saleh said that Afghanistan was too big for Pakistan to swallow and too big for Taliban to govern.</p>

<p>"Nations must respect the rule of law, not violence. Afghanistan is too big for Pakistan to swallow and too big for Talibs to govern. Don't let your histories have a chapter on humiliation and bowing to terror groups," Saleh said in a tweet.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Nations must respect the rule of law , not violence. Afghanistan is too big for Pakistan to swallow and too big for Talibs to govern. Don't let your histories have a chapter on humiliation and bowing to terror groups. <a href="https://t.co/nNo84Z7tEf">https://t.co/nNo84Z7tEf</a></p>
— Amrullah Saleh (@AmrullahSaleh2) <a href="https://twitter.com/AmrullahSaleh2/status/1428222636451061765?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 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>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Amrullah's tweet came in response to tweet of Michael Johns, a former White House official who stated:&nbsp; "Afghanistan's constitution, adopted in 2004, addresses the nation's governance under circumstances such as those that have just unfolded. In such a case, first vice president @AmrullahSaleh2 assumes the role of the presidency. Nations must respect the rule of law, not violence."</p>

<p>Saleh had declared himself "legitimate caretaker President" on August 17 after president Ashraf Ghani fled the country in the wake of Taliban takeover.</p>

<p>The terror group took control over Afghanistan on Sunday after entering the presidential palace in Kabul.</p>

<p>Saleh, a native of Panjshir Valley, was a member of the Northern Alliance, which was formed when the Taliban came to power in 1996.</p>

<p>Recently he vowed to "never ever and under no circumstances" bow down to the Taliban.</p>

<p>"I will never, ever and under no circumstances bow to d Talib terrorists. I will never betray d soul and legacy of my hero Ahmad Shah Masoud, the commander, the legend and the guide. I won't disappoint millions who listened to me. I will never be under one ceiling with the Taliban. NEVER," tweeted Saleh.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
&nbsp;</p>


Self-proclaimed president of Afghanistan Amrullah Saleh on Thursday trained his guns at Pakistan and Taliban. Saleh said that Afghanistan was too big for Pakistan to swallow and too big for Taliban to govern.

Self-proclaimed president of Afghanistan Amrullah Saleh on Thursday trained his guns at Pakistan and Taliban. Saleh said that Afghanistan was too big for Pakistan to swallow and too big for Taliban to govern. "Nations must respect the rule of law, not violence. Afghanistan is too big for Pakistan to swallow and too big for Talibs to govern. Don't let your histories have a chapter on humiliation and bowing to terror groups," Saleh said in a tweet. Nations must respect the rule of law , not violence. Afghanistan is too big for Pakistan to swallow and too big for Talibs to govern. Don't let your histories have a chapter on humiliation and bowing to terror groups. https://t.co/nNo84Z7tEf — Amrullah Saleh (@AmrullahSaleh2) August 19, 2021 × Amrullah's tweet came in response to tweet of Michael Johns, a former White House official who stated: "Afghanistan's constitution, adopted in 2004, addresses the nation's governance under circumstances such as those that have just unfolded. In such a case, first vice president @AmrullahSaleh2 assumes the role of the presidency. Nations must respect the rule of law, not violence." Saleh had declared himself "legitimate caretaker President" on August 17 after president Ashraf Ghani fled the country in the wake of Taliban takeover. The terror group took control over Afghanistan on Sunday after entering the presidential palace in Kabul. Saleh, a native of Panjshir Valley, was a member of the Northern Alliance, which was formed when the Taliban came to power in 1996. Recently he vowed to "never ever and under no circumstances" bow down to the Taliban. "I will never, ever and under no circumstances bow to d Talib terrorists. I will never betray d soul and legacy of my hero Ahmad Shah Masoud, the commander, the legend and the guide. I won't disappoint millions who listened to me. I will never be under one ceiling with the Taliban. NEVER," tweeted Saleh. (With inputs from agencies)

Afghanistan too big for Pakistan to swallow, says self-proclaimed president Amarullah Saleh

President Joe Biden has said that the US military presence could extend beyond the August 31 deadline for the withdrawal so as to evacuate all Americans from Afghanistan.

Joe Biden says US troops could stay in Kabul beyond August 31

As the Taliban has taken over Afghanistan, the question is how will the country be governed? According to reports, the ruling council might take charge in and the third supreme commander of the Taliban Haibatullah Akhundzada likely to be overall in charge.

What will the new Afghanistan regime look like?

<p>Afghanistan's ambassador to Tajikistan Zahir Aghbar on Wednesday rejected Taliban's control of his country and said that hold-out Panjshir province will be a stronghold for resistance led by self-proclaimed acting president of Afghanistan Amrullah Saleh.</p>

<p>Saleh, First Vice-President of Afghanistan, on Tuesday said that he was "legitimate caretaker president" of Afghanistan after President Ashraf Ghani fled the country. Saleh's whereabouts were unknown.</p>

<p>Panjshir was the home of the Northern Alliance anti-Taliban resistance in the 1990s and is still a hold-out province against Taliban rule.</p>

<p>Lieutenant General Zahir Aghbar, who held senior positions in Afghan state security including chief of police before becoming ambassador, said Ghani was a traitor.</p>

<p>"I cannot say that the Taliban have won the war. No, it was just Dr Ashraf Ghani who gave up power after treacherous talks with the Taliban," he told Reuters in an interview.</p>

<p>The militants were able to overrun most of the country because the Afghan military was poorly trained, Aghbar said.</p>

<p>"And only Panjshir resists, led by Vice President Amrullah Saleh," he said. "Panjshir stands strong against anyone who wants to enslave people."</p>

<p>Aghbar said, however, the Taliban could potentially become part of a coalition government that would represent all Afghan factions if they "let others live in peace and accord".</p>

<p>Ghani is in the United Arab Emirates, the Gulf state's foreign ministry said on Wednesday.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Afghanistan's ambassador to Tajikistan Zahir Aghbar on Wednesday rejected Taliban's control of his country and said that hold-out Panjshir province will be a stronghold for resistance led by self-proclaimed acting president of Afghanistan Amrullah Saleh.

Afghanistan's ambassador to Tajikistan Zahir Aghbar on Wednesday rejected Taliban's control of his country and said that hold-out Panjshir province will be a stronghold for resistance led by self-proclaimed acting president of Afghanistan Amrullah Saleh. Saleh, First Vice-President of Afghanistan, on Tuesday said that he was "legitimate caretaker president" of Afghanistan after President Ashraf Ghani fled the country. Saleh's whereabouts were unknown. Panjshir was the home of the Northern Alliance anti-Taliban resistance in the 1990s and is still a hold-out province against Taliban rule. Lieutenant General Zahir Aghbar, who held senior positions in Afghan state security including chief of police before becoming ambassador, said Ghani was a traitor. "I cannot say that the Taliban have won the war. No, it was just Dr Ashraf Ghani who gave up power after treacherous talks with the Taliban," he told Reuters in an interview. The militants were able to overrun most of the country because the Afghan military was poorly trained, Aghbar said. "And only Panjshir resists, led by Vice President Amrullah Saleh," he said. "Panjshir stands strong against anyone who wants to enslave people." Aghbar said, however, the Taliban could potentially become part of a coalition government that would represent all Afghan factions if they "let others live in peace and accord". Ghani is in the United Arab Emirates, the Gulf state's foreign ministry said on Wednesday. (With inputs from agencies)

Afghan envoy says Panjshir province can be anti-Taliban stronghold

<p>Former Defence Minister of Afghanistan Bismillah Khan Mohammadi demanded that president Ashraf Ghani, who abdicated and departed Afghanistan, be arrested for "selling away the homeland."&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Those trading and selling out their motherland should be punished and arrested," Mohammadi wrote on Twitter, adding hashtag #InterpolArrestGhani.</p>

<p>On Wednesday, the Afghan embassy in Tajikistan also requested Interpol to detain Ghani on embezzlement charges.</p>

<p>At a news conference in Dushanbe, Afghan ambassador to Tajikistan Mohammad Zahir Aghbar accused Ghani of embezzling $169 million and acknowledged Amrullah Saleh, Ghani's vice president, as the rightful ruler of the Afghan state.&nbsp;</p>

<p>By conquering Kabul on Sunday, the Taliban finalised their control of Afghanistan.</p>

<p>According to the report, Ghani resigned and went overseas, accompanied by&nbsp;cars loaded with cash.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Former Defence Minister of Afghanistan Bismillah Khan Mohammadi demanded that president Ashraf Ghani, who abdicated and departed Afghanistan, be arrested for "selling away the homeland.

Former Defence Minister of Afghanistan Bismillah Khan Mohammadi demanded that president Ashraf Ghani, who abdicated and departed Afghanistan, be arrested for "selling away the homeland." "Those trading and selling out their motherland should be punished and arrested," Mohammadi wrote on Twitter, adding hashtag #InterpolArrestGhani. On Wednesday, the Afghan embassy in Tajikistan also requested Interpol to detain Ghani on embezzlement charges. At a news conference in Dushanbe, Afghan ambassador to Tajikistan Mohammad Zahir Aghbar accused Ghani of embezzling $169 million and acknowledged Amrullah Saleh, Ghani's vice president, as the rightful ruler of the Afghan state. By conquering Kabul on Sunday, the Taliban finalised their control of Afghanistan. According to the report, Ghani resigned and went overseas, accompanied by cars loaded with cash. (With inputs from agencies)

'Selling out the motherland': Afghan defence minister demands Ghani's arrest

For Afghans living across the United States, the last few days have been full of panic and anxiety as they fear for the safety of their families back home. Most of them are blaming the US for this crisis.

Afghans living in US fear for their families' safety

The women of Afghanistan fear the worst, a repeat of what they had to endure during the Taliban's previous rule. As the Taliban return to power - what does the future hold for Afghan women?

A WION special: Women in Taliban country

Videos of women and children being beaten and whipped by the Taliban fighters have surfaced showing the brutal face of the insurgents. They have also burnt down an amusement park in the country.

Taliban unleash its wicked face: Open fire, Women and children beaten at Kabul airport

<p>British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said on Thursday that fate of Afghanistan after the 20-year war means that the West's resolve is now perceived as weak by major adversaries such as Russia.</p>

<p>Afghanistan war has cost trillions of dollars and caused several hundred thousand casualties but the Taliban are now back in power. Western countries are scrambling to evacuate their diplomats and Afghan staff.</p>

<p>"What I'm uncomfortable with is that we have a world order now, where resolve is perceived by our adversaries as weak, the West's resolve," Wallace told BBC TV.</p>

<p>"That is something we should all worry about: if the West is seen not to have resolve and it fractures, then our adversaries like Russia find that encouraging," Wallace told LBC radio.</p>

<p>Britain fears that the power vacuum created by the US exit will let al-Qaeda gain foothold in Afghanistan.</p>

<p>"Around the world, Islamists will see what they will view as a victory and that will inspire other terrorists," Wallace said.</p>

<p><strong>Cannot evacuate unaccompanied children</strong></p>

<p>Wallace also said on Thursday that Britain could not evacuate unaccompanied children. He said this when he was asked about footage which showed a young child being handed over a wall to Western soldiers at Kabul airport.</p>

<p>The footage, which Reuters said it was unable to immediately verify, showed a small girl being handed over a wall to British and U.S. soldiers at Kabul airport.</p>

<p>Wallace said the child was passed over the wall as her family was being taken out.</p>

<p>"We can't just take a minor on their own," Wallace told Sky News when asked about the footage. "You will find as you see in the footage I think you're showing now, the child was taken - that will be because the family will be taken as well."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said on Thursday that fate of Afghanistan after the 20-year war means that the West's resolve is now perceived as weak by major adversaries such as Russia.

British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said on Thursday that fate of Afghanistan after the 20-year war means that the West's resolve is now perceived as weak by major adversaries such as Russia. Afghanistan war has cost trillions of dollars and caused several hundred thousand casualties but the Taliban are now back in power. Western countries are scrambling to evacuate their diplomats and Afghan staff. "What I'm uncomfortable with is that we have a world order now, where resolve is perceived by our adversaries as weak, the West's resolve," Wallace told BBC TV. "That is something we should all worry about: if the West is seen not to have resolve and it fractures, then our adversaries like Russia find that encouraging," Wallace told LBC radio. Britain fears that the power vacuum created by the US exit will let al-Qaeda gain foothold in Afghanistan. "Around the world, Islamists will see what they will view as a victory and that will inspire other terrorists," Wallace said. Cannot evacuate unaccompanied children Wallace also said on Thursday that Britain could not evacuate unaccompanied children. He said this when he was asked about footage which showed a young child being handed over a wall to Western soldiers at Kabul airport. The footage, which Reuters said it was unable to immediately verify, showed a small girl being handed over a wall to British and U.S. soldiers at Kabul airport. Wallace said the child was passed over the wall as her family was being taken out. "We can't just take a minor on their own," Wallace told Sky News when asked about the footage. "You will find as you see in the footage I think you're showing now, the child was taken - that will be because the family will be taken as well." (With inputs from agencies)

Afghanistan chaos means West appears weak, says UK minister

<p>According to news wire Reuters,<strong> Afghanistan</strong> may be governed by a ruling council, a senior<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/they-are-opening-schools-and-businesses-pakistan-foreign-minister-shah-mahmood-qureshi-backs-taliban-406780"> Taliban</a> member told the agency.</p>

<p>Reuters quoting the <strong>Taliban</strong> member said Haibatullah Akhundzada would likely remain in overall charge.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The news agency quoting <strong>Waheedullah Hashimi </strong>reported that the Taliban would also get in touch with ex-pilots and soldiers from the armed forces to join its ranks.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/foreign-nations-scramble-to-get-their-citizens-out-of-afghanistan-after-talibans-siege-406834/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>The militant group leaders including <strong>Khalil Al-Rahman Haqqani</strong> earlier had met Abdullah Abdullah and former president&nbsp;<br />
Hamid Karzai in Kabul.</p>

<p><strong>Abdullah Abdullah </strong>said during the meeting views on the security of citizens in Kabul and across the nation was discussed.</p>

<p>Abdullah Abdullah said he reiterated his official position that he supports an "<strong>independent and unified </strong>Afghanistan" based on justice and fairness.</p>

<p>"History shows that in the absence of <strong>social justice</strong>, proving security and strengthening national unity is impossible," Abdullah Abdullah said in his tweet.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, as US officials continue to pull out of Afghanistan,<strong> <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-dont-know-how-that-happens-president-biden-says-there-was-no-way-to-withdraw-from-afghanistan-without-chaos-ensuing-406698">President Biden</a></strong> said troops could stay in the country beyond August 31 to evacuate all Americans.</p>

<p>The Biden administration had earlier asked the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/yemen-al-qaeda-congratulates-taliban-vows-to-continue-jihad-406783">Taliban</a> to ensure safe passage for <strong>Afghans</strong>. Biden said the militant group has been cooperating in helping to get Americans out of the country.</p>

<p>"We're going to do everything we can to continue to try and deconflict and create passageways for them to get to the<strong> airfield</strong>," US defence secretary Lloyd Austin said.</p>

<p>Austin, however, added that the number of people to be <strong>evacuated </strong>was still very high. "It's obvious we're not close to where we want to be in terms of getting the numbers through," Austin said as US officials seek to accelerate the process.</p>

<p>The <strong>US defence secretary</strong> added that there has been "no hostile interactions" with the Taliban with communication lines with the Taliban commanders open.</p>

<p>(With inputs from Agencies)</p>


According to news wire Reuters, Afghanistan may be governed by a ruling council, a senior Taliban member told the agency. Reuters quoting the Taliban member said Haibatullah Akhundzada would likely remain in overall charge.

According to news wire Reuters, Afghanistan may be governed by a ruling council, a senior Taliban member told the agency. Reuters quoting the Taliban member said Haibatullah Akhundzada would likely remain in overall charge. The news agency quoting Waheedullah Hashimi reported that the Taliban would also get in touch with ex-pilots and soldiers from the armed forces to join its ranks. Watch: The militant group leaders including Khalil Al-Rahman Haqqani earlier had met Abdullah Abdullah and former president Hamid Karzai in Kabul. Abdullah Abdullah said during the meeting views on the security of citizens in Kabul and across the nation was discussed. Abdullah Abdullah said he reiterated his official position that he supports an "independent and unified Afghanistan" based on justice and fairness. "History shows that in the absence of social justice, proving security and strengthening national unity is impossible," Abdullah Abdullah said in his tweet. Meanwhile, as US officials continue to pull out of Afghanistan, President Biden said troops could stay in the country beyond August 31 to evacuate all Americans. The Biden administration had earlier asked the Taliban to ensure safe passage for Afghans. Biden said the militant group has been cooperating in helping to get Americans out of the country. "We're going to do everything we can to continue to try and deconflict and create passageways for them to get to the airfield," US defence secretary Lloyd Austin said. Austin, however, added that the number of people to be evacuated was still very high. "It's obvious we're not close to where we want to be in terms of getting the numbers through," Austin said as US officials seek to accelerate the process. The US defence secretary added that there has been "no hostile interactions" with the Taliban with communication lines with the Taliban commanders open. (With inputs from Agencies)

Ruling council may govern Afghanistan: Report

<p>Dr Abdullah Abdullah, chairman of Afghanistan's High Council for National Reconciliation (HCNR) met Taliban delegation on Wednesday. The meet took place at Abdullah Abdullah's residence. The Taliban delegation was led by Khalil Al-Rahman Haqqani. Former Afghanistan president Hamid Karzai was present at the meeting as well.</p>

<p>Dr Abdullah on Wednesday tweeted about the meeting. He said that he discussed security of Afghan citizens in Kabul and across Afghanistan. During the meet, Dr Abdullah said that he asked the Taliban to priorotise security &amp; protection of the life, property &amp; dignity of the people.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">HE Dr Abdullah Abdullah, Chairman of HCNR <a href="https://twitter.com/SapedarPalace?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SapedarPalace</a>, yesterday evening at his residence met Mr Khalil Al-Rahman Haqqani &amp; his accompanying delegation of Taliban in Kabul.<br />
HE <a href="https://twitter.com/KarzaiH?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KarzaiH</a>, Mr Fazal Hadi Muslimyar &amp; several other elders &amp; personalties attend the meeting. 1/5 <a href="https://t.co/3emd3QGM2j">pic.twitter.com/3emd3QGM2j</a></p>
— Dr. Abdullah Abdullah (@DrabdullahCE) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrabdullahCE/status/1428260156450742280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 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>

<p>Taliban negotiator Anas Haqqani on Wednesday met Karzai in a separate meeting.</p>

<p>Ousted president of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani has declared his support for discussions between the Taliban and other Afghan political leaders.</p>

<p>The Taliban have come full circle after being toppled from power by a US-led invasion in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks.</p>

<p>The group has pledged not to seek revenge against opponents and to respect women's rights, but the international community is sceptical about those promises.</p>

<p>As the Taliban moves to put a government in place, leader Haibatullah Akhundzada has ordered the release of "political detainees", telling provincial governors to free them "without any restrictions or conditions", the group said.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Dr Abdullah Abdullah, chairman of Afghanistan's High Council for National Reconciliation (HCNR) met Taliban delegation on Wednesday. The meet took place at Abdullah Abdullah's residence.

Dr Abdullah Abdullah, chairman of Afghanistan's High Council for National Reconciliation (HCNR) met Taliban delegation on Wednesday. The meet took place at Abdullah Abdullah's residence. The Taliban delegation was led by Khalil Al-Rahman Haqqani. Former Afghanistan president Hamid Karzai was present at the meeting as well. Dr Abdullah on Wednesday tweeted about the meeting. He said that he discussed security of Afghan citizens in Kabul and across Afghanistan. During the meet, Dr Abdullah said that he asked the Taliban to priorotise security & protection of the life, property & dignity of the people. HE Dr Abdullah Abdullah, Chairman of HCNR @SapedarPalace, yesterday evening at his residence met Mr Khalil Al-Rahman Haqqani & his accompanying delegation of Taliban in Kabul. HE @KarzaiH, Mr Fazal Hadi Muslimyar & several other elders & personalties attend the meeting. 1/5 pic.twitter.com/3emd3QGM2j — Dr. Abdullah Abdullah (@DrabdullahCE) August 19, 2021 × Taliban negotiator Anas Haqqani on Wednesday met Karzai in a separate meeting. Ousted president of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani has declared his support for discussions between the Taliban and other Afghan political leaders. The Taliban have come full circle after being toppled from power by a US-led invasion in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks. The group has pledged not to seek revenge against opponents and to respect women's rights, but the international community is sceptical about those promises. As the Taliban moves to put a government in place, leader Haibatullah Akhundzada has ordered the release of "political detainees", telling provincial governors to free them "without any restrictions or conditions", the group said. (With inputs from agencies)

Abdullah Abdullah meets Taliban delegation 

The situation in Kabul airport remains tense. Foreign nations are scrambling to get their citizens out of Afghanistan.

Foreign nations scramble to get their citizens out of Afghanistan after Taliban's siege

President Joe Biden is on his mission to evacuate US citizens from Afghanistan. But his own administration is giving out conflicting statements on safe passage of US citizens out of Afghanistan. Wendy Sherman has said that their citizens would not be able to get safe passage out of Kabul. However the Pentagon has said that 'Taliban is facilitating safe passage of American citizens.

New Zealand has announced a snap lockdown after a man tested positive for Covid, the first case in six months.  The case was detected in Auckland, which will be in lockdown for a week, while the rest of the country will be in lockdown for three days

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