Shocking images of children trapped at Kabul airport amid evacuation

<p>Austria's conservative Chancellor<strong> Sebastian Kurz </strong>opposes taking in any more people fleeing<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/thousands-of-afghans-still-wait-at-kabul-airport-us-allies-issue-advisory-407518"> Afghanistan</a> now that the Taliban have seized power, he said in remarks published on Sunday.</p>

<p>Austria took in more than one per cent of its population in asylum seekers during Europe's<strong> migration crisis</strong> in 2015 and 2016, and Kurz has built his career on taking a hard line on immigration, winning every parliamentary election since 2017.</p>

<p>While the <strong>European Union </strong>grapples with what to do with Afghans who assisted it over the past 20 years, Kurz said coming to Austria was not an option.</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/afghanistan-the-desperate-scramble-to-escape-afghanistans-day-6-under-taliban-407479/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>"I am clearly opposed to us now voluntarily taking in more people and that will not happen during my chancellorship," Kurz said in an interview with TV channel Puls 24. Excerpts of the interview were released before it was broadcast later on Sunday.</p>

<p>Austria has more than 40,000 <strong>Afghan refugees</strong>, the second-biggest number in Europe after Germany, which has 148,000, according to data from the UN&nbsp;refugee agency UNHCR for 2020.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The European Union has not recognised the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/not-one-mask-elon-musks-tweet-on-taliban-goes-viral-407571"> Taliban</a>, <strong>EU Commission President </strong>Ursula von der Leyen said on Saturday, nor is it holding political talks with the militants, a week after they seized control of Afghanistan.</p>

<p>The <strong>Taliban </strong>completed a lightning takeover of Afghanistan on Sunday, walking into the capital Kabul without firing a shot.</p>

<p>The head of the EU executive spoke after visiting a reception centre in Madrid for Afghan employees of EU institutions evacuated from <strong>Kabul</strong>.</p>

<p>Von der Leyen said she would propose an increase of $67 million&nbsp;in humanitarian aid which the Commission had allocated this year for Afghanistan.</p>

<p>She said EU development aid is tied to respect of <strong>human rights</strong>, good treatment of minorities and respect for the rights of women and girls.</p>

<p>"We may well hear the Taliban's words but we will measure them above all by their deeds and actions," von der Leyen told a news conference.</p>

<p>She said the Commission was ready to provide funding to EU countries which help resettle refugees, and she planned to raise the resettlement issue at a <strong>G7 </strong>meeting next week.</p>

<p>After a peak in 2015 when more than one million migrants came to the EU, mostly from Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq, the EU has cut the number of arrivals thanks to a deal with <strong>Turkey</strong> which receives EU funds to host asylum seekers in its territory.</p>


Austria's conservative Chancellor Sebastian Kurz opposes taking in any more people fleeing Afghanistan now that the Taliban have seized power, he said in remarks published on Sunday.

Austria's conservative Chancellor Sebastian Kurz opposes taking in any more people fleeing Afghanistan now that the Taliban have seized power, he said in remarks published on Sunday. Austria took in more than one per cent of its population in asylum seekers during Europe's migration crisis in 2015 and 2016, and Kurz has built his career on taking a hard line on immigration, winning every parliamentary election since 2017. While the European Union grapples with what to do with Afghans who assisted it over the past 20 years, Kurz said coming to Austria was not an option. Watch: "I am clearly opposed to us now voluntarily taking in more people and that will not happen during my chancellorship," Kurz said in an interview with TV channel Puls 24. Excerpts of the interview were released before it was broadcast later on Sunday. Austria has more than 40,000 Afghan refugees, the second-biggest number in Europe after Germany, which has 148,000, according to data from the UN refugee agency UNHCR for 2020. The European Union has not recognised the Taliban, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Saturday, nor is it holding political talks with the militants, a week after they seized control of Afghanistan. The Taliban completed a lightning takeover of Afghanistan on Sunday, walking into the capital Kabul without firing a shot. The head of the EU executive spoke after visiting a reception centre in Madrid for Afghan employees of EU institutions evacuated from Kabul. Von der Leyen said she would propose an increase of $67 million in humanitarian aid which the Commission had allocated this year for Afghanistan. She said EU development aid is tied to respect of human rights, good treatment of minorities and respect for the rights of women and girls. "We may well hear the Taliban's words but we will measure them above all by their deeds and actions," von der Leyen told a news conference. She said the Commission was ready to provide funding to EU countries which help resettle refugees, and she planned to raise the resettlement issue at a G7 meeting next week. After a peak in 2015 when more than one million migrants came to the EU, mostly from Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq, the EU has cut the number of arrivals thanks to a deal with Turkey which receives EU funds to host asylum seekers in its territory.

Austria opposes taking in more Afghans; EU says no recognition for Taliban

<p>As the Taliban take control of Afghanistan, SpaceX founder<strong> Elon Musk</strong> questioned whether the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/thousands-of-afghans-still-wait-at-kabul-airport-us-allies-issue-advisory-407518">Taliban</a>&nbsp;"even knows about the <strong>Delta variant"&nbsp;</strong>tweeting a photo of&nbsp;leaders without masks.</p>

<p>The tweet went viral on social media as a reader joked masks weren't their focus as several users put across their views on the <strong>Taliban's</strong> takeover.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="und"><a href="https://t.co/EOBHkQvFPR">pic.twitter.com/EOBHkQvFPR</a></p>
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1428809514946416642?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 20, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>The Taliban had entered capital <strong>Kabul </strong>virtually unopposed last week on Sunday as the Afghan troops crumbled under the militant group's onslaught which had gathered steam in the past fortnight.</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-plus-who-created-the-taliban-407485/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>There were chaotic scenes witnessed at <strong>Hamid Karzai international airport </strong>as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/after-women-taliban-send-back-afghans-government-employees-407472">Afghans </a>scrambled to catch flights evacuating foreign nationals and diplomats who hurried to get out of the country.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/spirit-of-sport-afghanistans-cricket-team-attends-training-session-in-kabul-see-pics-407546">In Pics:&nbsp;Afghanistan's cricket team attends training session in Kabul&nbsp;</a></p>

<p>The Taliban later in the week had asked <strong>Afghans</strong> without a valid visa to go back home, however, thousands are still gathered at the international airport.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Loving how <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@elonmusk</a> is taking on the Taliban!! Man's got sense of humour got to give him that.</p>
— SeabiscuitATH (@SeabiscuitATH) <a href="https://twitter.com/SeabiscuitATH/status/1428976474061639688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 21, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">When <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@elonmusk</a> gives <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Afghanistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Afghanistan</a> a shoutout <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DeltaVariant?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DeltaVariant</a> spread some love on the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Taliban?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Taliban</a> <a href="https://t.co/wQ8f3K2MSi">https://t.co/wQ8f3K2MSi</a></p>
— AK (@AkHakimyy) <a href="https://twitter.com/AkHakimyy/status/1429299713732448262?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 22, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>US and<strong> Germany</strong> have issued advisories to their citizens not to travel to the airport amid the chaos even as Australia declared it had pulled out several nationals from the country overnight.</p>

<p>Reports claim there are at least 15,000<strong> Americans</strong> and 50,000 to 60,000 Afghan allies who need to be evacuated. The <strong>Biden administration</strong> had declared earlier that the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-alternative-to-taliban-any-kind-of-resistance-will-fail-russian-envoy-to-afghanistan-407450"> Taliban</a> had given safe passage to the Americans amid chaos in the capital.</p>

<p>The Pentagon claimed at least 17,000 people have been<strong> evacuated</strong> since August 14 when the operation began with thousands more reportedly left on other foreign military flights.</p>

<p>President Biden had said US troops will be staying beyond the August 31 deadline set earlier as several thousand Americans still need to return home safely.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from Agencies)</em></p>


As the Taliban take control of Afghanistan, SpaceX founder Elon Musk questioned whether the Taliban "even knows about the Delta variant" tweeting a photo of leaders without masks.

As the Taliban take control of Afghanistan, SpaceX founder Elon Musk questioned whether the Taliban "even knows about the Delta variant" tweeting a photo of leaders without masks. The tweet went viral on social media as a reader joked masks weren't their focus as several users put across their views on the Taliban's takeover. pic.twitter.com/EOBHkQvFPR — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 20, 2021 × The Taliban had entered capital Kabul virtually unopposed last week on Sunday as the Afghan troops crumbled under the militant group's onslaught which had gathered steam in the past fortnight. Watch: There were chaotic scenes witnessed at Hamid Karzai international airport as Afghans scrambled to catch flights evacuating foreign nationals and diplomats who hurried to get out of the country. In Pics: Afghanistan's cricket team attends training session in Kabul The Taliban later in the week had asked Afghans without a valid visa to go back home, however, thousands are still gathered at the international airport. Loving how @elonmusk is taking on the Taliban!! Man's got sense of humour got to give him that. — SeabiscuitATH (@SeabiscuitATH) August 21, 2021 × When @elonmusk gives #Afghanistan a shoutout #DeltaVariant spread some love on the #Taliban https://t.co/wQ8f3K2MSi — AK (@AkHakimyy) August 22, 2021 × US and Germany have issued advisories to their citizens not to travel to the airport amid the chaos even as Australia declared it had pulled out several nationals from the country overnight. Reports claim there are at least 15,000 Americans and 50,000 to 60,000 Afghan allies who need to be evacuated. The Biden administration had declared earlier that the Taliban had given safe passage to the Americans amid chaos in the capital. The Pentagon claimed at least 17,000 people have been evacuated since August 14 when the operation began with thousands more reportedly left on other foreign military flights. President Biden had said US troops will be staying beyond the August 31 deadline set earlier as several thousand Americans still need to return home safely. (With inputs from Agencies)

'Not one mask': Elon Musk's tweet on Taliban goes viral

<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>

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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>Following the takeover, footage emerged showing Taliban militants riding bumper cars and merry-go-rounds at an amusement park in Kabul.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Now, another video shows one amusement park engulfed in flames after the Taliban set it on fire.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Bokhdi Amusement Park in Begha was seen burning in the video, and the individual who posted it commented, "The reason is that the statues/idols standing there are in Public access Idols are prohibited in Islam."&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The Bokhdi Amusement Park was set on fire by Taliban insurgents in Begha, Sheberghan. The reason is that the statues/idols standing there are in Public access Idols are illegal in Islam, This is the logic of the Taliban's brutal emirate. The homeland is occupied," the user claimed in a post on Twitter.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The Bokhdi Amusement Park was set on fire by Taliban insurgents in Begha, Sheberghan. The reason is that the statues/idols standing there are in Public access Idols are illegal in Islam, This is the logic of the Taliban's brutal emirate. The homeland is occupied.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Afghanistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Afghanistan</a> <a href="https://t.co/MBuYsQQbxk">pic.twitter.com/MBuYsQQbxk</a></p>
— Ihtesham Afghan (@IhteshamAfghan) <a href="https://twitter.com/IhteshamAfghan/status/1427617097539063818?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 17, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>Videos and pictures from Afghanistan, notably Kabul, show the country devolving into anarchy just weeks after the Taliban seized power and President Ashraf Ghani fled the country.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em><strong>Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of these visuals</strong></em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Following the takeover, footage emerged showing Taliban militants riding bumper cars and merry-go-rounds at an amusement park in Kabul. Now, another video shows one amusement park engulfed in flames after the Taliban set it on fire.

Following the takeover, footage emerged showing Taliban militants riding bumper cars and merry-go-rounds at an amusement park in Kabul. Now, another video shows one amusement park engulfed in flames after the Taliban set it on fire. The Bokhdi Amusement Park in Begha was seen burning in the video, and the individual who posted it commented, "The reason is that the statues/idols standing there are in Public access Idols are prohibited in Islam." "The Bokhdi Amusement Park was set on fire by Taliban insurgents in Begha, Sheberghan. The reason is that the statues/idols standing there are in Public access Idols are illegal in Islam, This is the logic of the Taliban's brutal emirate. The homeland is occupied," the user claimed in a post on Twitter. The Bokhdi Amusement Park was set on fire by Taliban insurgents in Begha, Sheberghan. The reason is that the statues/idols standing there are in Public access Idols are illegal in Islam, This is the logic of the Taliban's brutal emirate. The homeland is occupied.#Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/MBuYsQQbxk — Ihtesham Afghan (@IhteshamAfghan) August 17, 2021 × Videos and pictures from Afghanistan, notably Kabul, show the country devolving into anarchy just weeks after the Taliban seized power and President Ashraf Ghani fled the country. Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of these visuals (With inputs from agencies)

Watch: Taliban burn down amusement park in Afghanistan

<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>

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<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>Amid reports of women protesting in Kabul as the <strong>Taliban</strong> took control of the capital, pictures surfaced of a beauty saloon with images of women defaced using spray paint in Shar-e-Naw in Kabul.</p>

<p><img alt="Women poster defaced in Kabul" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fc120e81-2f37-4296-b2f0-0e657b653a93" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/D2_0.jpg" /></p>

<p><em>(Photo : AFP)</em></p>

<p><br />
The Taliban had declared on Tuesday that they would honour<strong> women's rights</strong>, although they had added that it should be within the norms of Islamic law.</p>

<p>Suhail Shaheen, Taliban's spokesperson in Doha's political office had said that women "can get education from primary to <strong>higher education</strong> -- that means university. We have announced this policy at international conferences, the Moscow conference and here at the Doha conference (on Afghanistan)."</p>

<p><img alt="Women's poster defaced in Kabul" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b6026477-6805-45b2-b75f-19812666d593" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Defaced1_0.jpg" /></p>

<p><em>(Photo: AFP)</em></p>

<p>During Taliban's rule in the 1990s, schools for girls were closed and they were prevented from working and forced to wear the <strong>burqa </strong>in public.</p>

<p><img alt="Women's poster defaced in Kabul" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="827093cf-7687-4827-bef9-b11ee6509840" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/D3.jpg" /></p>

<p>(Photo Courtesy: AFP)</p>

<p>"The burqa is not the only hijab (headscarf) that (can) be observed, there is different types of hijab not limited to burqa," Suhail Shaheen had told a British television network during a conference.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">First reported women’s protest in Kabul following the takeover by the Taliban:<br />
<br />
Four women holding handwritten paper signs stand surrounded by armed Taliban fighters<br />
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Indescribable courage:<a href="https://t.co/1HtpQ4X2ip">pic.twitter.com/1HtpQ4X2ip</a></p>
— Leah McElrath 🏳️‍🌈 (@leahmcelrath) <a href="https://twitter.com/leahmcelrath/status/1427643075829059599?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 17, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Meanwhile, a woman news presenter Shabnam Khan Dawran working with Mili television said that the soldiers didn't give her &nbsp;permission to start work at her office.</p>

<p>"They told me that the regime has changed. You are not allowed, go home. &nbsp;I am asking the world to help me because my life is in danger," Dawran said.</p>

<p><strong>Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of the&nbsp;videos</strong></p>

<p><strong>Social Media Video courtesy: @HameedMohdShah, @leahmcelrath</strong></p>


Amid reports of women protesting in Kabul as the Taliban took control of the capital, pictures surfaced of a beauty saloon with images of women defaced using spray paint in Shar-e-Naw in Kabul.

Amid reports of women protesting in Kabul as the Taliban took control of the capital, pictures surfaced of a beauty saloon with images of women defaced using spray paint in Shar-e-Naw in Kabul. (Photo : AFP) The Taliban had declared on Tuesday that they would honour women's rights, although they had added that it should be within the norms of Islamic law. Suhail Shaheen, Taliban's spokesperson in Doha's political office had said that women "can get education from primary to higher education -- that means university. We have announced this policy at international conferences, the Moscow conference and here at the Doha conference (on Afghanistan)." (Photo: AFP) During Taliban's rule in the 1990s, schools for girls were closed and they were prevented from working and forced to wear the burqa in public. (Photo Courtesy: AFP) "The burqa is not the only hijab (headscarf) that (can) be observed, there is different types of hijab not limited to burqa," Suhail Shaheen had told a British television network during a conference. First reported women’s protest in Kabul following the takeover by the Taliban: Four women holding handwritten paper signs stand surrounded by armed Taliban fighters Indescribable courage:pic.twitter.com/1HtpQ4X2ip — Leah McElrath 🏳️‍🌈 (@leahmcelrath) August 17, 2021 × Meanwhile, a woman news presenter Shabnam Khan Dawran working with Mili television said that the soldiers didn't give her permission to start work at her office. "They told me that the regime has changed. You are not allowed, go home. I am asking the world to help me because my life is in danger," Dawran said. Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of the videos Social Media Video courtesy: @HameedMohdShah, @leahmcelrath

See pics: Women's poster defaced in Kabul as Taliban consolidates hold over Afghanistan

Life under Taliban in Kabul & the Pakistan connection