When asked if he believes in the Taliban, US President Joe Biden, who has faced criticism at home and abroad for his handling of the Afghan issue, responded, "I don't trust anybody."&nbsp;

Joe Biden defended his decision to remove American soldiers from Afghanistan at a press conference at the White House on Sunday, saying it was now on to the Taliban to look for the country's people.&nbsp;

When a journalist asked if he now trusted the Taliban, Biden said, "I don't trust anyone. "Taliban must make a critical decision. Is the Taliban going to try to bring Afghanistan's people together and cater for their needs, as no other party has done in the last 100 years?"&nbsp; 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/shocking-images-of-children-at-kabul-airport-amid-evacuation-407731">In Pics:&nbsp;Shocking images of children at Kabul airport amid evacuation</a>

"Taliban has said and we will see whether they mean or not. They are seeking legitimacy to determine whether or not they would be recognised by other countries. They have told other countries as well as us that they do not want us to move our diplomatic presence completely. All this talk now, so far Taliban has not taken actions against US forces," he added.

His remarks come as countries continue to evacuate their citizens from Afghanistan through the Kabul airport, which is under US forces'' control.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | "I don’t trust anybody, including you, I love you but there is not a lot of people I trust. Taliban has to make a fundamental decision," says US President Joe Biden on being asked --do you trust them (Taliban) now? <a href="https://t.co/LDREjZm5Yn">pic.twitter.com/LDREjZm5Yn</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1429624255600156677?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 23, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The evacuations are being carried out as the security situation has deteriorated in Afghanistan following the takeover by the Taliban and the collapse of Ashraf Ghani's government.

Since August 14, the US military has evacuated roughly 25,100 people from Afghanistan, with a total of 30,000 since the end of July. 
 
Watch | Taliban 'mock US' with propaganda photo copying Iwo Jima flag raising

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/taliban-mock-us-with-propaganda-photo-copying-iwo-jima-flag-raising-407771/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Biden stated that he is in talks with senior military leaders about extending the Afghan evacuation mission beyond the August 31 deadline.&nbsp;

"Kabul evacuation is among the largest and most difficult airlifts in history," Biden had said.

The US has enlarged the safe zone surrounding the Kabul airport, according to Biden.

"We've made a lot of improvements, including expanding the safe zone and increasing access surrounding the airport," he added.

Biden described the withdrawal from Afghanistan as the "most difficult and biggest airlift in history" on Friday.

He had promised that all Americans and friends would be evacuated from the war-torn country.

(With inputs from agencies)

When asked if he believes in the Taliban, US President Joe Biden, who has faced criticism at home and abroad for his handling of the Afghan issue, responded, "I don't trust anybody.

When asked if he believes in the Taliban, US President Joe Biden, who has faced criticism at home and abroad for his handling of the Afghan issue, responded, "I don't trust anybody." Joe Biden defended his decision to remove American soldiers from Afghanistan at a press conference at the White House on Sunday, saying it was now on to the Taliban to look for the country's people. When a journalist asked if he now trusted the Taliban, Biden said, "I don't trust anyone. "Taliban must make a critical decision. Is the Taliban going to try to bring Afghanistan's people together and cater for their needs, as no other party has done in the last 100 years?" In Pics: Shocking images of children at Kabul airport amid evacuation "Taliban has said and we will see whether they mean or not. They are seeking legitimacy to determine whether or not they would be recognised by other countries. They have told other countries as well as us that they do not want us to move our diplomatic presence completely. All this talk now, so far Taliban has not taken actions against US forces," he added. His remarks come as countries continue to evacuate their citizens from Afghanistan through the Kabul airport, which is under US forces'' control. #WATCH | "I don’t trust anybody, including you, I love you but there is not a lot of people I trust. Taliban has to make a fundamental decision," says US President Joe Biden on being asked --do you trust them (Taliban) now? pic.twitter.com/LDREjZm5Yn — ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2021 × The evacuations are being carried out as the security situation has deteriorated in Afghanistan following the takeover by the Taliban and the collapse of Ashraf Ghani's government. Since August 14, the US military has evacuated roughly 25,100 people from Afghanistan, with a total of 30,000 since the end of July. Watch | Taliban 'mock US' with propaganda photo copying Iwo Jima flag raising Biden stated that he is in talks with senior military leaders about extending the Afghan evacuation mission beyond the August 31 deadline. "Kabul evacuation is among the largest and most difficult airlifts in history," Biden had said. The US has enlarged the safe zone surrounding the Kabul airport, according to Biden. "We've made a lot of improvements, including expanding the safe zone and increasing access surrounding the airport," he added. Biden described the withdrawal from Afghanistan as the "most difficult and biggest airlift in history" on Friday. He had promised that all Americans and friends would be evacuated from the war-torn country. (With inputs from agencies)

'I don't trust anybody': US President Biden on being asked if he trusts Taliban 

The Biden administration has ordered six civilian aircraft to speed up the evacuation process calling in &nbsp;Delta, American Airlines, Atlas, Omni, Hawaiian and United Airlines to help US citizens and other personnel to leave the airport in limited time.

President Joe Biden while speaking on the ongoing evacuation of US personnel from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/hundreds-of-taliban-fighters-head-towards-panjshir-valley-407664">Kabul</a> airport said that it has to be done amid "pain, loss" and "heartbreaking images".

"There is no way to evacuate this many people without pain and loss and heartbreaking images you see," the Biden&nbsp;said, adding that he hopes it will not extend over the August 31 deadline.

Watch:

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The evacuation process has been hampered with thousands of Afghans at the airport clamouring to get out of the country to escape the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-to-soon-form-new-government-in-afghanistan-407661">Taliban </a>rule. On Sunday, at least seven people died as people continued to pour into Hamid Karzai international airport.

"We know that terrorists may seek to exploit the situation," the US president said, adding, "It's still a dangerous operation." &nbsp;&nbsp;

According to the US president, at least 15,000 Americans need to fly out of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-pm-boris-johnson-convenes-g7-to-discuss-afghanistan-crisis-407639">Afghanistan</a> along with 50,000 Afghans&nbsp;including interpreters who helped the US army in the last 20 years during the fight against the Taliban.

The US government has accelerated the evacuation process with 23 military flights on Sunday airlifting 3,900 people with coalition partners also joining the operation on a mass scale.

"We have a long way to go and a lot could still go wrong," Biden said. However, the Taliban blamed the Americans saying it "failed to bring order to the airport".

Biden said at least 28,000 people have been flown out of Kabul since last Sunday as the Taliban took control of the capital.

(With inputs from Agencies)

The Biden administration has ordered six civilian aircraft to speed up the evacuation process calling in Delta, American Airlines, Atlas, Omni, Hawaiian and United Airlines to help US citizens and other personnel to leave the airport in limited time.

The Biden administration has ordered six civilian aircraft to speed up the evacuation process calling in Delta, American Airlines, Atlas, Omni, Hawaiian and United Airlines to help US citizens and other personnel to leave the airport in limited time. President Joe Biden while speaking on the ongoing evacuation of US personnel from Kabul airport said that it has to be done amid "pain, loss" and "heartbreaking images". "There is no way to evacuate this many people without pain and loss and heartbreaking images you see," the Biden said, adding that he hopes it will not extend over the August 31 deadline. Watch: The evacuation process has been hampered with thousands of Afghans at the airport clamouring to get out of the country to escape the Taliban rule. On Sunday, at least seven people died as people continued to pour into Hamid Karzai international airport. "We know that terrorists may seek to exploit the situation," the US president said, adding, "It's still a dangerous operation." According to the US president, at least 15,000 Americans need to fly out of Afghanistan along with 50,000 Afghans including interpreters who helped the US army in the last 20 years during the fight against the Taliban. The US government has accelerated the evacuation process with 23 military flights on Sunday airlifting 3,900 people with coalition partners also joining the operation on a mass scale. "We have a long way to go and a lot could still go wrong," Biden said. However, the Taliban blamed the Americans saying it "failed to bring order to the airport". Biden said at least 28,000 people have been flown out of Kabul since last Sunday as the Taliban took control of the capital. (With inputs from Agencies)

Biden orders US commercial airlines to help in Afghan evacuation

The German army said on Monday that an Afghan guard was killed after German and US forces joined in a gun battle at <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-orders-us-commercial-airlines-to-help-in-afghan-evacuation-407670">Kabul airport</a> as Afghan guards and unknown assailants exchanged fire.

"This morning at 4.13 am, there was an exchange of fire between <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/at-least-20-dead-in-kabul-airport-evacuation-operation-report-407689">Afghan</a> guards and unknown assailants at the north gate of Kabul airport. An Afghan guard was killed, three others injured," the German army said adding that none&nbsp;of its soldiers was killed during the exchange of fire.

Watch:

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Thousands of Afghans including women and children have been camping outside Kabul airport in an attempt to get inside the compound to catch flights out of Afghanistan.

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At 5 p.m., Foreign Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/HeikoMaas?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HeikoMaas</a> will chair another meeting of the Federal government’s crisis unit. The situation in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kabul?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kabul</a> remains very difficult, gates are either fully or temporarily closed today. Evacuations of people on the airport continue. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Afghanistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Afghanistan</a>
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UK's defence ministry had earlier said that at least seven Afghans were killed around the airport amid the chaos on Saturday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/shocking-images-of-children-at-kabul-airport-amid-evacuation-407731">In Pics:&nbsp;Shocking images of children at Kabul airport amid evacuation</a>

The US and coalition partners have been carrying out mass evacuation airlifting diplomats, personnel including Afghans who helped in the fight against the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-leader-amrullah-saleh-ashraf-ghani-can-return-to-afghanistan-407637">Taliban</a> for the past 20 years.

President Biden on Sunday enlisted the support of major airlines in order to speed up the evacuation process as thousands continued to be stranded at the airport.

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin enacted Civil Reserve Air Fleet in order to help ease the bottleneck of people stranded at the Hamid Karzai international airport.

The US has already evacuated nearly 25,000 personnel since August 14 even as tens of thousands still remain to be pulled out of Afghanistan.

(With inputs from Agencies) 
&nbsp;

The German army said on Monday that an Afghan guard was killed after German and US forces joined in a gun battle at Kabul airport as Afghan guards and unknown assailants exchanged fire.

The German army said on Monday that an Afghan guard was killed after German and US forces joined in a gun battle at Kabul airport as Afghan guards and unknown assailants exchanged fire. "This morning at 4.13 am, there was an exchange of fire between Afghan guards and unknown assailants at the north gate of Kabul airport. An Afghan guard was killed, three others injured," the German army said adding that none of its soldiers was killed during the exchange of fire. Watch: Thousands of Afghans including women and children have been camping outside Kabul airport in an attempt to get inside the compound to catch flights out of Afghanistan. At 5 p.m., Foreign Minister @HeikoMaas will chair another meeting of the Federal government’s crisis unit. The situation in #Kabul remains very difficult, gates are either fully or temporarily closed today. Evacuations of people on the airport continue. #Afghanistan — GermanForeignOffice (@GermanyDiplo) August 22, 2021 × UK's defence ministry had earlier said that at least seven Afghans were killed around the airport amid the chaos on Saturday. In Pics: Shocking images of children at Kabul airport amid evacuation The US and coalition partners have been carrying out mass evacuation airlifting diplomats, personnel including Afghans who helped in the fight against the Taliban for the past 20 years. President Biden on Sunday enlisted the support of major airlines in order to speed up the evacuation process as thousands continued to be stranded at the airport. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin enacted Civil Reserve Air Fleet in order to help ease the bottleneck of people stranded at the Hamid Karzai international airport. The US has already evacuated nearly 25,000 personnel since August 14 even as tens of thousands still remain to be pulled out of Afghanistan. (With inputs from Agencies)

Gun battle between soldiers and assailants at Kabul airport; 1 Afghan guard killed

Shocking images of children trapped at Kabul airport amid evacuation

Austria's conservative Chancellor Sebastian Kurz 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.

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:

<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>

"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&nbsp;refugee agency UNHCR for 2020.&nbsp;

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>, 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&nbsp;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'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

As the Taliban take control of Afghanistan, SpaceX founder Elon Musk 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 Delta variant"&nbsp;tweeting a photo of&nbsp;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.

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<a href="https://t.co/EOBHkQvFPR">pic.twitter.com/EOBHkQvFPR</a>
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1428809514946416642?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 20, 2021</a></blockquote>
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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:

<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>

There were chaotic scenes witnessed at Hamid Karzai international airport 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.

<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>

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.

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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.
— SeabiscuitATH (@SeabiscuitATH) <a href="https://twitter.com/SeabiscuitATH/status/1428976474061639688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 21, 2021</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

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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>
— AK (@AkHakimyy) <a href="https://twitter.com/AkHakimyy/status/1429299713732448262?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 22, 2021</a></blockquote>
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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<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.

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.&nbsp;

(With inputs from Agencies)

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

Amid chaotic scenes at Kabul airport, the United States and Germany advised citizens not to travel to the Hamid Karzai international airport.

The warning comes as crowds have increased over the past week since chaos took hold at the airport on Monday as thousands gathered to flee as 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> took control of the city.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/kabul-airport-on-the-edge-desperate-afghans-waiting-to-flee-407360/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Although the Taliban have asked people without travel documents to go home but thousands are still reportedly at the airport waiting to fly along with the US and coalition troops.

Reports say at least 12 people have been killed since last Sunday around the airport although it is not clear how they have died whether due to firing or a stampede.

In an advisory, the US embassy said: "Because of potential security threats outside the gates at the Kabul airport, we are advising US citizens to avoid travelling to the airport and to avoid airport gates."

The German embassy has also reportedly asked its citizens not to travel to the airport due to strict measures being undertaken by the Taliban.

The Pentagon said at least 5,800 US troops remain at the airport. The US has reportedly evacuated 17,000 people, including 2,500 Americans&nbsp;from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/after-women-taliban-send-back-afghans-government-employees-407472">Kabul </a>in the past week.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said that the US is "fighting against both time and space" in its bid to evacuate citizens safely.

Meanwhile, the Taliban's co-founder, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/talibans-websites-go-offline-as-social-media-giants-crackdown-on-group-407446">Mullah Baradar</a> arrived in Kabul to begin talks with leaders in order to form the next government.

(With inputs from Agencies)

Amid chaotic scenes at Kabul airport, the United States and Germany advised citizens not to travel to the Hamid Karzai international airport. The warning comes as crowds have increased over the past week since chaos took hold at the airport on Monday as thousands gathered to flee as the Taliban took control of the city.

Amid chaotic scenes at Kabul airport, the United States and Germany advised citizens not to travel to the Hamid Karzai international airport. The warning comes as crowds have increased over the past week since chaos took hold at the airport on Monday as thousands gathered to flee as the Taliban took control of the city. Watch: Although the Taliban have asked people without travel documents to go home but thousands are still reportedly at the airport waiting to fly along with the US and coalition troops. Reports say at least 12 people have been killed since last Sunday around the airport although it is not clear how they have died whether due to firing or a stampede. In an advisory, the US embassy said: "Because of potential security threats outside the gates at the Kabul airport, we are advising US citizens to avoid travelling to the airport and to avoid airport gates." The German embassy has also reportedly asked its citizens not to travel to the airport due to strict measures being undertaken by the Taliban. The Pentagon said at least 5,800 US troops remain at the airport. The US has reportedly evacuated 17,000 people, including 2,500 Americans from Kabul in the past week. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said that the US is "fighting against both time and space" in its bid to evacuate citizens safely. Meanwhile, the Taliban's co-founder, Mullah Baradar arrived in Kabul to begin talks with leaders in order to form the next government. (With inputs from Agencies)

Thousands of Afghans still wait at Kabul airport; US, allies issue advisory

Forces holding out against the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-releases-propaganda-video-showing-fighters-in-army-uniform-gear-407587">Taliban</a> in northern Afghanistan say they have taken three districts close to the Panjshir valley where remnants of government forces and other militia groups have gathered.

Defence Minister General Bismillah Mohammadi, who has vowed to resist the Taliban, said in a tweet that the districts of Deh Saleh, Bano and Pul-Hesar in the neighbouring province of Baghlan to the north of Panjshir had been taken.

It was not immediately clear what forces were involved but the incident adds to scattered indications of opposition to the Taliban who swept to power in a lightning campaign that saw them take all of Afghanistan's main cities in a week.

Local television station Tolo News quoted a local police commander who said Bano district in Baghlan was under the control of local militia forces and said there had been heavy casualties.

The Taliban have not commented on the incident.

Former Vice President Amrullah Saleh and Ahmad Massoud, son of former anti-Soviet Mujahideen commander Ahmad Shah Massoud, have vowed to resist the Taliban from Panjshir, which repelled both Soviet forces and the Taliban in the 1980s and 1990s.

People close to Massoud say that more than 6,000 fighters, made up of remnants of army and Special Forces units as well as local militia groups, have gathered in the valley. They say they have some helicopters and military vehicles and have repaired some of the armoured vehicles left behind by the Soviets.

There appeared to be no connection between the groups in Panjshir and apparently uncoordinated demonstrations in some eastern cities and the capital Kabul in which protesters raised the red green and black colours of the Afghan flag.

But they underscore the problems that may face the Taliban as they begin to consolidate their rapid victory.

The Taliban have not so far tried to enter Panjshir, which is still dotted with the wreckage of Soviet armoured vehicles destroyed in the fighting more than 30 years ago.

But Western diplomats and others have expressed scepticism about the ability of the groups gathered there to mount an effective resistance given the lack of outside support and the need to repair and maintain weapons.

The former Soviet Union occupied Afghanistan from 1979 to 1989, leaving after 15,000 of its troops were killed and tens of thousands were wounded.

Forces holding out against the Taliban in northern Afghanistan say they have taken three districts close to the Panjshir valley where remnants of government forces and other militia groups have gathered.

Forces holding out against the Taliban in northern Afghanistan say they have taken three districts close to the Panjshir valley where remnants of government forces and other militia groups have gathered. Defence Minister General Bismillah Mohammadi, who has vowed to resist the Taliban, said in a tweet that the districts of Deh Saleh, Bano and Pul-Hesar in the neighbouring province of Baghlan to the north of Panjshir had been taken. It was not immediately clear what forces were involved but the incident adds to scattered indications of opposition to the Taliban who swept to power in a lightning campaign that saw them take all of Afghanistan's main cities in a week. Local television station Tolo News quoted a local police commander who said Bano district in Baghlan was under the control of local militia forces and said there had been heavy casualties. The Taliban have not commented on the incident. Former Vice President Amrullah Saleh and Ahmad Massoud, son of former anti-Soviet Mujahideen commander Ahmad Shah Massoud, have vowed to resist the Taliban from Panjshir, which repelled both Soviet forces and the Taliban in the 1980s and 1990s. People close to Massoud say that more than 6,000 fighters, made up of remnants of army and Special Forces units as well as local militia groups, have gathered in the valley. They say they have some helicopters and military vehicles and have repaired some of the armoured vehicles left behind by the Soviets. There appeared to be no connection between the groups in Panjshir and apparently uncoordinated demonstrations in some eastern cities and the capital Kabul in which protesters raised the red green and black colours of the Afghan flag. But they underscore the problems that may face the Taliban as they begin to consolidate their rapid victory. The Taliban have not so far tried to enter Panjshir, which is still dotted with the wreckage of Soviet armoured vehicles destroyed in the fighting more than 30 years ago. But Western diplomats and others have expressed scepticism about the ability of the groups gathered there to mount an effective resistance given the lack of outside support and the need to repair and maintain weapons. The former Soviet Union occupied Afghanistan from 1979 to 1989, leaving after 15,000 of its troops were killed and tens of thousands were wounded.

Anti-Taliban forces claim to have taken districts close to Panjshir valley

UK's defence ministry said that at least seven people were killed in the chaos near <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/thousands-of-afghans-still-wait-at-kabul-airport-us-allies-issue-advisory-407518">Kabul airport</a>.

Boris Johnson government's&nbsp;announcement comes even as reports said Taliban rulers had imposed some order around the chaotic Kabul airport on Sunday.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/indian-flight-from-kabul-lands-at-hindan-airbase-407576/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Thousands have gathered around Kabul airport a week after the militant group captured the capital. US, Australia and the UK have evacuated hundreds of officials and diplomats from the city.

<img alt="Kabul airport" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="44d3a4da-cb06-4b55-93b6-3193be7c9533" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/KK1_0.jpg" />

"Our sincere thoughts are with the families of the seven Afghan civilians who have sadly died in crowds in Kabul," the UK defence ministry said in a statement.

<img alt="Kabul airport" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7e76c20c-f8d5-4e96-9b35-29a98acc71b6" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/X2.jpg" />

Australia airlifted 300 people in four flights on Saturday night which included Australians, Afghan visa holders, New Zealanders, US and British citizens.

US and Germany had issued advisories to their citizens to avoid travelling to Kabul airport due to mass gatherings of Afghans desperate to board flights out of the country.

Reports say Afghans have tried to push up against concrete blast walls of the airport to enter the area even as 5,800 US troops remain at the airport.

The United States has evacuated&nbsp;17,000 people, including 2,500 Americans from Kabul in the past week with 3,800 people put on US flights in the last 24 hours.

(With inputs from Agencies)

UK's defence ministry said that at least seven people were killed in the chaos near Kabul airport. Boris Johnson government's announcement comes even as reports said Taliban rulers had imposed some order around the chaotic Kabul airport on Sunday.

UK's defence ministry said that at least seven people were killed in the chaos near Kabul airport. Boris Johnson government's announcement comes even as reports said Taliban rulers had imposed some order around the chaotic Kabul airport on Sunday. Watch: Thousands have gathered around Kabul airport a week after the militant group captured the capital. US, Australia and the UK have evacuated hundreds of officials and diplomats from the city. "Our sincere thoughts are with the families of the seven Afghan civilians who have sadly died in crowds in Kabul," the UK defence ministry said in a statement. Australia airlifted 300 people in four flights on Saturday night which included Australians, Afghan visa holders, New Zealanders, US and British citizens. US and Germany had issued advisories to their citizens to avoid travelling to Kabul airport due to mass gatherings of Afghans desperate to board flights out of the country. Reports say Afghans have tried to push up against concrete blast walls of the airport to enter the area even as 5,800 US troops remain at the airport. The United States has evacuated 17,000 people, including 2,500 Americans from Kabul in the past week with 3,800 people put on US flights in the last 24 hours. (With inputs from Agencies)

At least seven Afghans killed in chaos near Kabul airport amid evacuation

The Taliban is intensifying a search for people who worked with the US and NATO forces, a confidential United Nations document says, despite the militants vowing no revenge against opponents.

The report, provided by the UN's threat-assessment consultants and seen by AFP - says the group has "priority lists" of individuals it wants to arrest.

<h2><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/live-afghanistan-crisis-facebook-twitter-and-linkedin-secure-users-accounts-amid-taliban-takeover-407020">Live: Afghanistan crisis-Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn secure users' accounts amid Taliban takeover</a></h2>

Most at risk are people who had central roles in the Afghan military, police and intelligence units, according to the document.

The Taliban have been conducting "targeted&nbsp;door-to-door&nbsp;visits" of individuals they want to apprehend and their family members, the report says.

It adds that militants are also screening individuals on the way to Kabul airport and have set up checkpoints in major cities, including the capital and Jalalabad.

The document, dated Wednesday, was written by the Norwegian Center for Global Analyses, an organisation that provides intelligence to UN agencies.

"They are targeting the families of those who refuse to give themselves up, and prosecuting and punishing their families 'according to Sharia law,'" Christian Nellemann, the group's executive director, told AFP.

"We expect both individuals previously working with NATO/US forces and their allies, alongside with their family members to be exposed to torture and executions.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/heartbreaking-desperate-afghan-mothers-throw-children-over-kabul-airport-fence-in-bid-to-escape-taliban-407089">Heartbreaking: Desperate Afghan mothers throw children over Kabul airport fence in bid to escape Taliban</a>

"This will further jeopardize western intelligence services, their networks, methods and ability to counter both the Taliban, ISIS and other terrorist threats ahead," he added.

'Recruiting' informers&nbsp;

The report says the militants are "rapidly recruiting" new informers to collaborate with the Taliban regime and are expanding their lists of targets by contacting mosques and money brokers.

It reprints a letter, dated August 16, from the Taliban to an individual who worked in counterterrorism in the Afghan government.

The letter asks the person to report to Taliban officials to "provide information about the nature of your work and relationship with the British and Americans."

"If you do not report to the commission, your family members will be arrested instead, and you are responsible for this. You and your family members will be treated based on Sharia law," it says.

The Norwegian Center for Global Analyses also warned the Taliban may target or arrest remaining Westerners or other foreign personnel, including medical workers if they criticise the militants.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-call-on-afghanistans-imams-to-urge-unity-as-protests-spread-to-kabul-407074" hreflang="en">Taliban call on Afghanistan's imams to urge unity as protests spread to Kabul</a>

A UN spokesman did not respond to a request for comment on the document.

The Taliban have launched a public relations blitz since sweeping back into power on Sunday, completing a stunning rout of government forces as the United States and other foreign troops withdrew following a 20-year occupation.

Among promises such as rights for women and an inclusive government, the militants have also pledged full amnesty for all who worked with the Western-backed elected Afghan government.

But Afghans have not forgotten the Taliban's ultra-conservative Islamic regime of 1996-2001, when brutal punishments, such as stoning to death for adultery, were imposed.

Tens of thousands of people have tried to flee the country since the Taliban takeover, sparking chaos at Kabul airport.

The Taliban is intensifying a search for people who worked with the US and NATO forces, a confidential United Nations document says, despite the militants vowing no revenge against opponents.

The Taliban is intensifying a search for people who worked with the US and NATO forces, a confidential United Nations document says, despite the militants vowing no revenge against opponents. The report, provided by the UN's threat-assessment consultants and seen by AFP - says the group has "priority lists" of individuals it wants to arrest. Live: Afghanistan crisis-Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn secure users' accounts amid Taliban takeover Most at risk are people who had central roles in the Afghan military, police and intelligence units, according to the document. The Taliban have been conducting "targeted door-to-door visits" of individuals they want to apprehend and their family members, the report says. It adds that militants are also screening individuals on the way to Kabul airport and have set up checkpoints in major cities, including the capital and Jalalabad. The document, dated Wednesday, was written by the Norwegian Center for Global Analyses, an organisation that provides intelligence to UN agencies. "They are targeting the families of those who refuse to give themselves up, and prosecuting and punishing their families 'according to Sharia law,'" Christian Nellemann, the group's executive director, told AFP. "We expect both individuals previously working with NATO/US forces and their allies, alongside with their family members to be exposed to torture and executions. Also read | Heartbreaking: Desperate Afghan mothers throw children over Kabul airport fence in bid to escape Taliban "This will further jeopardize western intelligence services, their networks, methods and ability to counter both the Taliban, ISIS and other terrorist threats ahead," he added. 'Recruiting' informers The report says the militants are "rapidly recruiting" new informers to collaborate with the Taliban regime and are expanding their lists of targets by contacting mosques and money brokers. It reprints a letter, dated August 16, from the Taliban to an individual who worked in counterterrorism in the Afghan government. The letter asks the person to report to Taliban officials to "provide information about the nature of your work and relationship with the British and Americans." "If you do not report to the commission, your family members will be arrested instead, and you are responsible for this. You and your family members will be treated based on Sharia law," it says. The Norwegian Center for Global Analyses also warned the Taliban may target or arrest remaining Westerners or other foreign personnel, including medical workers if they criticise the militants. Also read | Taliban call on Afghanistan's imams to urge unity as protests spread to Kabul A UN spokesman did not respond to a request for comment on the document. The Taliban have launched a public relations blitz since sweeping back into power on Sunday, completing a stunning rout of government forces as the United States and other foreign troops withdrew following a 20-year occupation. Among promises such as rights for women and an inclusive government, the militants have also pledged full amnesty for all who worked with the Western-backed elected Afghan government. But Afghans have not forgotten the Taliban's ultra-conservative Islamic regime of 1996-2001, when brutal punishments, such as stoning to death for adultery, were imposed. Tens of thousands of people have tried to flee the country since the Taliban takeover, sparking chaos at Kabul airport.

Taliban 'intensifying' door-to-door search for Afghans who helped US, claims UN document

The Taliban reportedly raided the shuttered Indian Consulates in Kandahar and Herat two days ago, seizing documents from both missions.

The militants allegedly stormed into the Consulate premises and took away parked vehicles, according to reports.

After the Taliban took control of Kabul on August 15, four Indian consulates in Kandahar, Herat, Mazar-e-Sharif, and Jalalabad were shuttered.

The Indian Embassy staffs were evacuated by an Indian Air Force C-17 aircraft on Tuesday, carrying back 120 Indians, including ITBP personnel, from the Kabul airport, despite the dangerous situation in Afghanistan.&nbsp;

The evacuation of surviving Indian employees was also reviewed during a Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi instructed that all necessary efforts be taken to return them.&nbsp;

The Taliban leadership claimed earlier this week that the fighters have been instructed not to enter vacant diplomatic buildings of foreign countries or to manhandle their vehicles.

The newest allegations of raids against Indian missions, on the other hand, contradict the Taliban commanders' statements.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The Taliban reportedly raided the shuttered Indian Consulates in Kandahar and Herat two days ago, seizing documents from both missions. The militants allegedly stormed into the Consulate premises and took away parked vehicles, according to reports.

The Taliban reportedly raided the shuttered Indian Consulates in Kandahar and Herat two days ago, seizing documents from both missions. The militants allegedly stormed into the Consulate premises and took away parked vehicles, according to reports. After the Taliban took control of Kabul on August 15, four Indian consulates in Kandahar, Herat, Mazar-e-Sharif, and Jalalabad were shuttered. The Indian Embassy staffs were evacuated by an Indian Air Force C-17 aircraft on Tuesday, carrying back 120 Indians, including ITBP personnel, from the Kabul airport, despite the dangerous situation in Afghanistan. The evacuation of surviving Indian employees was also reviewed during a Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi instructed that all necessary efforts be taken to return them. The Taliban leadership claimed earlier this week that the fighters have been instructed not to enter vacant diplomatic buildings of foreign countries or to manhandle their vehicles. The newest allegations of raids against Indian missions, on the other hand, contradict the Taliban commanders' statements. (With inputs from agencies)

Taliban broke into Indian consulates, took away documents and parked vehicles

The terrorist group Islamic State has claimed that the Taliban in Afghanistan are fake jihadists and that the group is collaborating with the US. 
 
IS has mocked the Taliban's success in Afghanistan in its official weekly publication Al-Naba, alleging that the country was simply handed over to the Islamist rival by the withdrawal of American soldiers.&nbsp; 
 
Watch | Will India recognise the Taliban in Afghanistan?

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/will-india-recognise-the-taliban-in-afghanistan-407269/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

 
The article shows a long-standing and bitter rivalry between the Islamic State and the Taliban. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/muscles-sliced-off-strangled-with-scarf-nine-men-of-the-hazara-minority-killed-by-taliban-407237">Also read | Muscles sliced off, strangled with scarf: Nine men of the Hazara minority killed by Taliban</a>

In its first statement since the Taliban took control of Kabul, the terrorist group claimed that the Afghan movement had not engaged in genuine "jihad" — or holy war — and raised doubts about its ability to impose true sharia rule in the country. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/watch-taliban-burn-down-amusement-park-in-afghanistan-406897">Watch: Taliban burn down amusement park in Afghanistan</a>

Due to ideological differences, IS has a foothold in Afghanistan's Khorasan province and is a sworn adversary of the Taliban.&nbsp;

According to one extract of the editorial, "during the Taliban's march into Kabul, we saw how the American troops and the Taliban coordinated directly, and how the evacuation procedures for thousands of Crusaders and spies continued amid strong trust between the two sides."

IS supporters are likely to begin a coordinated hashtag campaign online to promote the latest IS statement, as they have been doing for days. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/live-afghanistan-crisis-facebook-twitter-and-linkedin-secure-users-accounts-amid-taliban-takeover-407020">Live: Afghanistan crisis</a>:

IS has described the Taliban as a "Mullah Bradley" project, a reference to jihadists recruited by the US to destabilise the movement from inside.&nbsp;

It also mocked the new Taliban as a tool in the guise of Islam, which would be used by the US to mislead Muslims and combat the Islamic State's foothold in the region.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The terrorist group Islamic State has claimed that the Taliban in Afghanistan are fake jihadists and that the group is collaborating with the US. IS has mocked the Taliban's success in Afghanistan in its official weekly publication Al-Naba, alleging that the country was simply handed over to the Islamist rival by the withdrawal of American soldiers.

The terrorist group Islamic State has claimed that the Taliban in Afghanistan are fake jihadists and that the group is collaborating with the US. IS has mocked the Taliban's success in Afghanistan in its official weekly publication Al-Naba, alleging that the country was simply handed over to the Islamist rival by the withdrawal of American soldiers. Watch | Will India recognise the Taliban in Afghanistan? The article shows a long-standing and bitter rivalry between the Islamic State and the Taliban. Also read | Muscles sliced off, strangled with scarf: Nine men of the Hazara minority killed by Taliban In its first statement since the Taliban took control of Kabul, the terrorist group claimed that the Afghan movement had not engaged in genuine "jihad" — or holy war — and raised doubts about its ability to impose true sharia rule in the country. Watch: Taliban burn down amusement park in Afghanistan Due to ideological differences, IS has a foothold in Afghanistan's Khorasan province and is a sworn adversary of the Taliban. According to one extract of the editorial, "during the Taliban's march into Kabul, we saw how the American troops and the Taliban coordinated directly, and how the evacuation procedures for thousands of Crusaders and spies continued amid strong trust between the two sides." IS supporters are likely to begin a coordinated hashtag campaign online to promote the latest IS statement, as they have been doing for days. Live: Afghanistan crisis: IS has described the Taliban as a "Mullah Bradley" project, a reference to jihadists recruited by the US to destabilise the movement from inside. It also mocked the new Taliban as a tool in the guise of Islam, which would be used by the US to mislead Muslims and combat the Islamic State's foothold in the region. (With inputs from agencies)

Taliban takeover of Afghanistan a 'US-backed conspiracy': Islamic State

The Taliban called on Afghanistan's imams to urge unity when they hold their first Friday prayers since the Islamist group seized control of the country, as protests against the takeover spread to more cities on Thursday, including the capital, Kabul.

Several people were killed when Taliban terrorists fired on a crowd in the eastern city of Asadabad, a witness said. Another witness reported gunshots near a rally in Kabul, but they appeared to be Taliban firing into the air.

On the day Afghanistan celebrates its independence from British control in 1919, a social media video showed a crowd of men and women in Kabul waving black, red and green national flags.

"Our flag, our identity," they shouted.

At some protests elsewhere, the media reported people tearing down the Taliban's white flag.

A Taliban spokesman was not immediately available for comment.

Some demonstrations were small, but combined with the desperate scramble of thousands of people seeking to flee the country, they underline the challenge the Taliban face in governing.

Kabul has been largely calm, but 12 people have been killed in and around the airport, NATO and Taliban officials said.

The US military said more than 5,200 American troops were guarding Kabul airport, where multiple gates to the facility are now open, while US fighter jets were flying over the city to ensure security for the evacuation operation for diplomats and civilians, including some Afghan citizens.

State Department spokesman Ned Price said 6,000 "fully processed" people were currently at the Kabul airport and would soon be boarding planes. A source told Reuters that White House officials told a congressional briefing that the United States had already evacuated 6,741 people, including 1,792 American citizens and legal permanent residents.

The Taliban swiftly conquered Afghanistan as US and other foreign troops withdrew, surprising even their own leaders and leaving power vacuums in many places.

The Taliban urged unity ahead of Friday prayers, calling on imams to persuade people not to leave Afghanistan.

Since seizing Kabul on Sunday, the Taliban have presented a more moderate face, saying they want peace, will not take revenge against old enemies and will respect the rights of women within the framework of Islamic law.

When in power from 1996-2001, they severely restricted women's rights, staged public executions and blew up ancient Buddhist statues. They were ousted in a 2001 US-led invasion.

BLACKLIST

A report by a Norwegian intelligence group said the Taliban had begun rounding up Afghans on a blacklist of people linked to Afghanistan's previous administration or US-led forces that supported it. Complaints by some Afghan journalists have cast doubt on assurances that independent media would be allowed.

A US lawmaker said the Taliban were using files from Afghanistan's intelligence agency, the National Directorate of Security, to identify Afghans who worked for the United States.

"They are methodically ramping up efforts to round those folks up," said Representative Jason Crow, who has been leading efforts in the US Congress to accelerate the evacuation of American-affiliated Afghans. "I've had people send me pictures of Taliban outside their apartment complexes, searching for them."

Crow voiced concern that the US government may end the evacuation operation on Aug. 31, leaving more than 100,000 at-risk Afghans and family members in danger of Taliban reprisals.

Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn said they had moved to secure the accounts of Afghan citizens to protect them from being targeted amid the Taliban's takeover.

It was unclear if the Asadabad casualties resulted from Taliban firing or from a stampede.

"Hundreds of people came out on the streets," witness Mohammed Salim said. "At first I was scared and didn't want to go, but when I saw one of my neighbours joined in, I took out the flag I have at home. Several people were killed and injured in the stampede and firing by the Taliban."

Protests flared in the city of Jalalabad and in Paktia province, also in the east.

First Vice President Amrullah Saleh, who said on Tuesday he was the "legitimate caretaker president" after President Ashraf Ghani fled, wrote on Twitter: "Salute those who carry the national flag and thus stand for dignity of the nation."

Ahmad Massoud, son of guerrilla leader Ahmad Shah Massoud, who was killed by suspected al Qaeda terrorists in 2001, wrote in a Washington Post that he is "ready to follow in my father's footsteps, with mujahideen fighters who are prepared to once again take on the Taliban."

LIMITED LEVERAGE

US President Joe Biden said the Taliban must decide if they want international recognition.

"Do they want to be recognized by the international community as being a legitimate government? I'm not sure they do," Biden said in TV interview.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said in an interview with NBC News that the United States is "laser-focused" on "the potential for a terrorist attack" by a group like Islamic State amid the evacuation.

"We will get any American who wants to get to the airport and who we get in contact with who says: 'I want to get out and get on a plane,' we will make that happen," Sullivan said.

About two dozen US diplomats in Afghanistan sent an internal cable last month warning Secretary of State Antony Blinken of the potential fall of Kabul to the Taliban as US troops withdrew from the country, The Wall Street Journal reported.

G7 foreign ministers called for a united international response to prevent the crisis from worsening, in comments echoed by countries including Russia, China said the world should support, not pressure, Afghanistan.

A Taliban official said they could not be blamed for the chaos at Kabul airport. In one scene captured on social media, a small girl was hoisted over the airport's perimeter wall and handed to a US soldier.

Under a pact negotiated by former President Donald Trump's administration, the United States agreed to withdraw its forces in exchange for a Taliban guarantee not to attack departing foreign forces or let Afghanistan be used for terrorist attacks.

The Taliban called on Afghanistan's imams to urge unity when they hold their first Friday prayers since the Islamist group seized control of the country, as protests against the takeover spread to more cities on Thursday, including the capital, Kabul.

The Taliban called on Afghanistan's imams to urge unity when they hold their first Friday prayers since the Islamist group seized control of the country, as protests against the takeover spread to more cities on Thursday, including the capital, Kabul. Several people were killed when Taliban terrorists fired on a crowd in the eastern city of Asadabad, a witness said. Another witness reported gunshots near a rally in Kabul, but they appeared to be Taliban firing into the air. On the day Afghanistan celebrates its independence from British control in 1919, a social media video showed a crowd of men and women in Kabul waving black, red and green national flags. "Our flag, our identity," they shouted. At some protests elsewhere, the media reported people tearing down the Taliban's white flag. A Taliban spokesman was not immediately available for comment. Some demonstrations were small, but combined with the desperate scramble of thousands of people seeking to flee the country, they underline the challenge the Taliban face in governing. Kabul has been largely calm, but 12 people have been killed in and around the airport, NATO and Taliban officials said. The US military said more than 5,200 American troops were guarding Kabul airport, where multiple gates to the facility are now open, while US fighter jets were flying over the city to ensure security for the evacuation operation for diplomats and civilians, including some Afghan citizens. State Department spokesman Ned Price said 6,000 "fully processed" people were currently at the Kabul airport and would soon be boarding planes. A source told Reuters that White House officials told a congressional briefing that the United States had already evacuated 6,741 people, including 1,792 American citizens and legal permanent residents. The Taliban swiftly conquered Afghanistan as US and other foreign troops withdrew, surprising even their own leaders and leaving power vacuums in many places. The Taliban urged unity ahead of Friday prayers, calling on imams to persuade people not to leave Afghanistan. Since seizing Kabul on Sunday, the Taliban have presented a more moderate face, saying they want peace, will not take revenge against old enemies and will respect the rights of women within the framework of Islamic law. When in power from 1996-2001, they severely restricted women's rights, staged public executions and blew up ancient Buddhist statues. They were ousted in a 2001 US-led invasion. BLACKLIST A report by a Norwegian intelligence group said the Taliban had begun rounding up Afghans on a blacklist of people linked to Afghanistan's previous administration or US-led forces that supported it. Complaints by some Afghan journalists have cast doubt on assurances that independent media would be allowed. A US lawmaker said the Taliban were using files from Afghanistan's intelligence agency, the National Directorate of Security, to identify Afghans who worked for the United States. "They are methodically ramping up efforts to round those folks up," said Representative Jason Crow, who has been leading efforts in the US Congress to accelerate the evacuation of American-affiliated Afghans. "I've had people send me pictures of Taliban outside their apartment complexes, searching for them." Crow voiced concern that the US government may end the evacuation operation on Aug. 31, leaving more than 100,000 at-risk Afghans and family members in danger of Taliban reprisals. Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn said they had moved to secure the accounts of Afghan citizens to protect them from being targeted amid the Taliban's takeover. It was unclear if the Asadabad casualties resulted from Taliban firing or from a stampede. "Hundreds of people came out on the streets," witness Mohammed Salim said. "At first I was scared and didn't want to go, but when I saw one of my neighbours joined in, I took out the flag I have at home. Several people were killed and injured in the stampede and firing by the Taliban." Protests flared in the city of Jalalabad and in Paktia province, also in the east. First Vice President Amrullah Saleh, who said on Tuesday he was the "legitimate caretaker president" after President Ashraf Ghani fled, wrote on Twitter: "Salute those who carry the national flag and thus stand for dignity of the nation." Ahmad Massoud, son of guerrilla leader Ahmad Shah Massoud, who was killed by suspected al Qaeda terrorists in 2001, wrote in a Washington Post that he is "ready to follow in my father's footsteps, with mujahideen fighters who are prepared to once again take on the Taliban." LIMITED LEVERAGE US President Joe Biden said the Taliban must decide if they want international recognition. "Do they want to be recognized by the international community as being a legitimate government? I'm not sure they do," Biden said in TV interview. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said in an interview with NBC News that the United States is "laser-focused" on "the potential for a terrorist attack" by a group like Islamic State amid the evacuation. "We will get any American who wants to get to the airport and who we get in contact with who says: 'I want to get out and get on a plane,' we will make that happen," Sullivan said. About two dozen US diplomats in Afghanistan sent an internal cable last month warning Secretary of State Antony Blinken of the potential fall of Kabul to the Taliban as US troops withdrew from the country, The Wall Street Journal reported. G7 foreign ministers called for a united international response to prevent the crisis from worsening, in comments echoed by countries including Russia, China said the world should support, not pressure, Afghanistan. A Taliban official said they could not be blamed for the chaos at Kabul airport. In one scene captured on social media, a small girl was hoisted over the airport's perimeter wall and handed to a US soldier. Under a pact negotiated by former President Donald Trump's administration, the United States agreed to withdraw its forces in exchange for a Taliban guarantee not to attack departing foreign forces or let Afghanistan be used for terrorist attacks.

Taliban call on Afghan imams to urge unity at Friday prayers

Heroin production has boomed in Afghanistan in recent years, helping fund the Taliban, and experts say they will struggle to wean themselves off the profitable trade despite their promise to do so.

Speaking Tuesday at a first press conference since taking power, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid promised that the new government would not turn the world's leading producer of opium into a fully-fledged narco-state.

"We are assuring our countrymen and women and the international community that we will not have any narcotics produced," Mujahid told reporters in Kabul.

"From now on, nobody's going to get involved (in the heroin trade), nobody can be involved in drug smuggling."

But the anti-heroin rhetoric -- like similar pledges to respect human rights and media freedom — is seen by analysts as part of efforts by the new Taliban leaders to show a more moderate face in order to secure international backing.

The vast majority of the world's opium and heroin comes from Afghanistan, with production and exports centred in areas controlled by the Taliban, who have taxed the drugs heavily during their 20-year insurgency.

It has become a key resource for the group and they could struggle to ban it, said Jonathan Goodhand, an expert in the international drug trade at SOAS University of London.

"Drugs will bring out a set of tensions in the movement," he predicted.

On one hand, "they want to create this image of themselves as more moderate and more open to engagement with the West and they realise drugs is one of way of doing this," he said.

But on the other, any repression would hit farmers in the Taliban political heartlands of Helmand and Kandahar provinces in particular.

"It's going to struggle to take a very aggressive approach to drugs," he added.

Near-monopoly

In his premier press conference, Mujahid pleaded for "international assistance" to provide farmers with alternative crops to poppies, the source of sap that is refined into morphine and heroin.

The appeal for international aid might prompt hollow laughs from people who worked in the coalition of NATO forces, NGOs and UN workers over the last 10 years that tried in vain to break Afghanistan's reliance on poppy farming.

The United States spent around $8.6 billion (7.4 billion euros) from 2002 to 2017 in its doomed effort to combat the drugs trade, according to a 2018 report from the US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan (SIGAR).

Those efforts included paying farmers to grow wheat or saffron, investing in transport links, as well as spraying defoliants on crops and bombing refining facilities.

At each step, they found themselves thwarted by Taliban fighters who controlled the main poppy-growing regions and derived hundreds of millions of dollars from the industry, according to US and Afghan government estimates.

Farmers in Taliban-controlled areas would often come under pressure to plant poppies from local warlords and fighters, investigations have found.

As a result, the country has a near-monopoly on opium and heroin, accounting for 80 to 90 percent of global output, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

The amount of land planted with poppies hit a record high in 2017 and has averaged around 250,000 hectares in the last four years, roughly four times the level of the mid-1990s, UN figures show.

'Too tied up'

The narcotics policy of the new government will affect global heroin prices, with repercussions for Western countries and their addicts, as well as Russia, Iran, Pakistan and China -- all major smuggling routes but also huge markets for Afghan drugs.

In recent years, traffickers have also discovered that a plant commonly found in Afghanistan called ephedra can be used to create a key component of methamphetamine, better known as "crystal meth".

Still, spokesman Mujahid vowed Afghanistan would be a "narcotics-free country" moving forward.

It's not the first time the fundamentalist group has vowed to outlaw the trade. Production was banned in 2000, just before the group was overthrown by US-led forces.

Gretchen Peters, the American author of the book "Seeds of Terror: How Heroin Is Bankrolling the Taliban and Al-Qaeda", said the Taliban's previous ban on poppy cultivation was tactical.

"They were under immense international pressure," she said. "It was a ploy because they had so much stored up. They made a huge amount of money once the price shot up by 10 times."

"They are not going to get rid of the drug trade because they are too tied up with it."

"Afghanistan cannot survive without opium. It is simultaneously killing Afghanistan while also keeping a huge number of people alive," she said, referring to the income the industry provides to poor farmers.

Being in control of the country will offer the Taliban access to airlines, the state bureaucracy and banks which could be used to facilitate drug smuggling and money laundering, she explained.

"I have no doubt they will exploit it."

Heroin production has boomed in Afghanistan in recent years, helping fund the Taliban, and experts say they will struggle to wean themselves off the profitable trade despite their promise to do so.

Heroin production has boomed in Afghanistan in recent years, helping fund the Taliban, and experts say they will struggle to wean themselves off the profitable trade despite their promise to do so. Speaking Tuesday at a first press conference since taking power, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid promised that the new government would not turn the world's leading producer of opium into a fully-fledged narco-state. "We are assuring our countrymen and women and the international community that we will not have any narcotics produced," Mujahid told reporters in Kabul. "From now on, nobody's going to get involved (in the heroin trade), nobody can be involved in drug smuggling." But the anti-heroin rhetoric -- like similar pledges to respect human rights and media freedom — is seen by analysts as part of efforts by the new Taliban leaders to show a more moderate face in order to secure international backing. The vast majority of the world's opium and heroin comes from Afghanistan, with production and exports centred in areas controlled by the Taliban, who have taxed the drugs heavily during their 20-year insurgency. It has become a key resource for the group and they could struggle to ban it, said Jonathan Goodhand, an expert in the international drug trade at SOAS University of London. "Drugs will bring out a set of tensions in the movement," he predicted. On one hand, "they want to create this image of themselves as more moderate and more open to engagement with the West and they realise drugs is one of way of doing this," he said. But on the other, any repression would hit farmers in the Taliban political heartlands of Helmand and Kandahar provinces in particular. "It's going to struggle to take a very aggressive approach to drugs," he added. Near-monopoly In his premier press conference, Mujahid pleaded for "international assistance" to provide farmers with alternative crops to poppies, the source of sap that is refined into morphine and heroin. The appeal for international aid might prompt hollow laughs from people who worked in the coalition of NATO forces, NGOs and UN workers over the last 10 years that tried in vain to break Afghanistan's reliance on poppy farming. The United States spent around $8.6 billion (7.4 billion euros) from 2002 to 2017 in its doomed effort to combat the drugs trade, according to a 2018 report from the US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan (SIGAR). Those efforts included paying farmers to grow wheat or saffron, investing in transport links, as well as spraying defoliants on crops and bombing refining facilities. At each step, they found themselves thwarted by Taliban fighters who controlled the main poppy-growing regions and derived hundreds of millions of dollars from the industry, according to US and Afghan government estimates. Farmers in Taliban-controlled areas would often come under pressure to plant poppies from local warlords and fighters, investigations have found. As a result, the country has a near-monopoly on opium and heroin, accounting for 80 to 90 percent of global output, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The amount of land planted with poppies hit a record high in 2017 and has averaged around 250,000 hectares in the last four years, roughly four times the level of the mid-1990s, UN figures show. 'Too tied up' The narcotics policy of the new government will affect global heroin prices, with repercussions for Western countries and their addicts, as well as Russia, Iran, Pakistan and China -- all major smuggling routes but also huge markets for Afghan drugs. In recent years, traffickers have also discovered that a plant commonly found in Afghanistan called ephedra can be used to create a key component of methamphetamine, better known as "crystal meth". Still, spokesman Mujahid vowed Afghanistan would be a "narcotics-free country" moving forward. It's not the first time the fundamentalist group has vowed to outlaw the trade. Production was banned in 2000, just before the group was overthrown by US-led forces. Gretchen Peters, the American author of the book "Seeds of Terror: How Heroin Is Bankrolling the Taliban and Al-Qaeda", said the Taliban's previous ban on poppy cultivation was tactical. "They were under immense international pressure," she said. "It was a ploy because they had so much stored up. They made a huge amount of money once the price shot up by 10 times." "They are not going to get rid of the drug trade because they are too tied up with it." "Afghanistan cannot survive without opium. It is simultaneously killing Afghanistan while also keeping a huge number of people alive," she said, referring to the income the industry provides to poor farmers. Being in control of the country will offer the Taliban access to airlines, the state bureaucracy and banks which could be used to facilitate drug smuggling and money laundering, she explained. "I have no doubt they will exploit it."

Taliban vow to ban heroin, but can they survive without it?

Taliban now controls Afghanistan, this is no secret to the world. Despite the longest war the United States has ever waged, the group seized control of the country with ease.&nbsp;

In the wake of the panic and fear affecting the streets of the Afghan capital, some heart-breaking videos have emerged on social media.&nbsp;

<h2><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/live-afghanistan-crisis-facebook-twitter-and-linkedin-secure-users-accounts-amid-taliban-takeover-407020">Live: Afghanistan crisis-Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn secure users' accounts amid Taliban takeover</a></h2>

The videos show helpless Afghan women trying to ensure the safety of their children, some even throwing their children over wired fencing to the departing soldiers.

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It's been five days since the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Taliban?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Taliban</a> took over <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kabul?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kabul</a>. NATO forces have said that over 18,000 people have been evacuated so far. But, what is the future of 38 million Afghans, who now live under the Taliban? 
 
Mohammed Saleh tells you more <a href="https://t.co/fZmXuu8PhE">pic.twitter.com/fZmXuu8PhE</a>
— WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/1428640644138864643?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 20, 2021</a></blockquote>
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In one such video, a small girl is seen being lifted over the perimeter fence of the Kabul airport to be handed over to an American soldier.

Other videos have emerged, purportedly showing mothers throwing their children over the razor wires in hopes that the soldiers would help.

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FEAR of Taliban is so much that Desperate women threw Babies &amp; Little Girls OVER RAZOR WIRE at airport compound asking British soldiers to take them 😭💔 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Afghanistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Afghanistan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Talibans?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Talibans</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Taliban?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Taliban</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SaveAfghanWomen?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SaveAfghanWomen</a> <a href="https://t.co/Wmpkl7Bnj1">pic.twitter.com/Wmpkl7Bnj1</a>
— JAI SHRI PAWAN (@cool_flute) <a href="https://twitter.com/cool_flute/status/1428298535644983298?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2021</a></blockquote>
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These videos, seen this week on social media, highlight Afghans' sense of desperation and fear of what the Taliban's sudden return to power will mean.

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Today, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/US?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#US</a> Army troops guarding the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kabul?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kabul</a> airport started taking children of Afghans who are not on the list. They can now live any where there is No rule of terror &amp; horror. These children, especially the girls, will have No future in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Afghanistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Afghanistan</a> under rule of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Taliban?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Taliban</a>. <a href="https://t.co/Y51ZaE29jt">pic.twitter.com/Y51ZaE29jt</a>
— Babak Taghvaee - Μπάπακ Τακβαίε - بابک تقوایی (@BabakTaghvaee) <a href="https://twitter.com/BabakTaghvaee/status/1428496327072260097?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2021</a></blockquote>
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A chaotic scene has seen thousands of people trying to get into Kabul's airport attempting to reach flights to the west. As a result of the ensuing chaos, several people have been killed or wounded.

<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

When asked about the video, UK Defence Minister Ben Wallace said Britain could not evacuate unaccompanied children from Afghanistan. Wallace further stated that the child was passed down the wall while her family was being escorted out.

"We can't just take a minor on their own,"&nbsp;Wallace&nbsp;told Sky News.

In the days since the Taliban took over Kabul, officials have assured Afghans and foreign powers that they will not seek revenge on former enemies or violate the rights of women and girls.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/watch-child-lifted-over-kabul-airport-wall-by-us-soldiers-406985">Watch: Child lifted over Kabul airport wall by US soldiers</a>

They’ve stated that they would respect the rights of women, according to Islamic law.

However, Afghanistan's people are sceptical. Kabul's roads have largely remained empty, with very few people venturing out of their homes. Women remain missing from the scene.

Between 1996 and 2001, when the Taliban ruled Afghanistan; girls could not attend school, women could not work, and if they wanted to go out, they had to be accompanied by a male relative.

If someone broke the rules, they were subject to humiliation and public beatings by the Taliban's religious police.

Following recent events at Kabul airport, questions have been raised about foreign nations' responsibility to Afghan refugees fleeing persecution.

Hundreds of migrants have arrived at airports across Europe and beyond, however many more are still waiting, stuck and afraid.

&nbsp;

Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of these videos

Courtesy: @cool_flute,&nbsp;@SourceBeijing,&nbsp;@BabakTaghvaee

(With inputs from agencies)

Taliban now controls Afghanistan, this is no secret to the world. Despite the longest war the United States has ever waged, the group seized control of the country with ease.

Taliban now controls Afghanistan, this is no secret to the world. Despite the longest war the United States has ever waged, the group seized control of the country with ease. In the wake of the panic and fear affecting the streets of the Afghan capital, some heart-breaking videos have emerged on social media. Live: Afghanistan crisis-Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn secure users' accounts amid Taliban takeover The videos show helpless Afghan women trying to ensure the safety of their children, some even throwing their children over wired fencing to the departing soldiers. It's been five days since the #Taliban took over #Kabul. NATO forces have said that over 18,000 people have been evacuated so far. But, what is the future of 38 million Afghans, who now live under the Taliban? Mohammed Saleh tells you more pic.twitter.com/fZmXuu8PhE — WION (@WIONews) August 20, 2021 × In one such video, a small girl is seen being lifted over the perimeter fence of the Kabul airport to be handed over to an American soldier. Other videos have emerged, purportedly showing mothers throwing their children over the razor wires in hopes that the soldiers would help. FEAR of Taliban is so much that Desperate women threw Babies & Little Girls OVER RAZOR WIRE at airport compound asking British soldiers to take them 😭💔 #Afghanistan #Talibans #Taliban #SaveAfghanWomen pic.twitter.com/Wmpkl7Bnj1 — JAI SHRI PAWAN (@cool_flute) August 19, 2021 × These videos, seen this week on social media, highlight Afghans' sense of desperation and fear of what the Taliban's sudden return to power will mean. Today, #US Army troops guarding the #Kabul airport started taking children of Afghans who are not on the list. They can now live any where there is No rule of terror & horror. These children, especially the girls, will have No future in #Afghanistan under rule of #Taliban. pic.twitter.com/Y51ZaE29jt — Babak Taghvaee - Μπάπακ Τακβαίε - بابک تقوایی (@BabakTaghvaee) August 19, 2021 × A chaotic scene has seen thousands of people trying to get into Kabul's airport attempting to reach flights to the west. As a result of the ensuing chaos, several people have been killed or wounded. When asked about the video, UK Defence Minister Ben Wallace said Britain could not evacuate unaccompanied children from Afghanistan. Wallace further stated that the child was passed down the wall while her family was being escorted out. "We can't just take a minor on their own," Wallace told Sky News. In the days since the Taliban took over Kabul, officials have assured Afghans and foreign powers that they will not seek revenge on former enemies or violate the rights of women and girls. Also read | Watch: Child lifted over Kabul airport wall by US soldiers They’ve stated that they would respect the rights of women, according to Islamic law. However, Afghanistan's people are sceptical. Kabul's roads have largely remained empty, with very few people venturing out of their homes. Women remain missing from the scene. Between 1996 and 2001, when the Taliban ruled Afghanistan; girls could not attend school, women could not work, and if they wanted to go out, they had to be accompanied by a male relative. If someone broke the rules, they were subject to humiliation and public beatings by the Taliban's religious police. Following recent events at Kabul airport, questions have been raised about foreign nations' responsibility to Afghan refugees fleeing persecution. Hundreds of migrants have arrived at airports across Europe and beyond, however many more are still waiting, stuck and afraid. Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of these videos Courtesy: @cool_flute, @SourceBeijing, @BabakTaghvaee (With inputs from agencies)

Heartbreaking: Desperate Afghan mothers throw children over Kabul airport fence in bid to escape Taliban

Afghanistan's former president <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-ex-president-ashraf-ghani-is-in-uae-406635">Ashraf Ghani </a>&nbsp;said he was in the UAE, just days after leaving the country as the Taliban took control of capital Kabul.

Ghani said he left the country since his life was in danger and that the "Taliban gunmen were already at the Palace gates".&nbsp;

"There was not much of a choice. I either had to stay or go," Ghani said.

Watch:

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/former-afghan-president-ashraf-ghani-says-he-hopes-to-return-to-afghanistan-406701/embed" width="560"></iframe>

Here are eight major takeaways&nbsp;from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/watch-i-was-evicted-money-rumours-false-ashraf-ghani-defends-decisions-406670">Ghani's</a> video message:

Warning about being hanged

"All my colleagues in the West told me that if I didn't leave, things would be worse.&nbsp;I would be hanged in front of my people and the great shameful historical tragedy would happen again," Ghani said.

Didn't take anything

"Don't believe those who say your president sold you out and fled. I left Afghanistan in a vest, shoes and a T-shirt and I didn't take anything else with me," Ghani informed.

Foreigners entered presidential palace

"I had a responsibility to my people, and I didn't want to start a bloodbath like in Syria and Yemen. After I left the country, the Taliban and unknown persons who do not speak any of our country's languages entered the palace," Ghani informed.

Would have been executed

"If I had stayed, I would have been executed in front of the people like Najibullah," he said.

Didn't take money

"The headlines about me taking all the money out of Afghanistan are not true. The situation has not deteriorated in Kabul because I left my post," Ghani said in a Facebook video.

Media wants to defame me

"All the government valuables fell into the wrong hands. I had no management when I left Afghanistan," the former president said, adding," In the last few days, I've seen that the media wants to defame me."

Welcome peace talks

"I welcome the peace talks that Abdullah Abdullah and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/senior-taliban-leaders-meet-ex-afghan-president-hamid-karzai-report-406657">Hamid Karzai </a>are conducting and wish them success. &nbsp;I was saving the people as best I could," Ghani said in the video.

Wanting to go back to Afghanistan

"I am currently in the UAE to prevent and try to make decisions that would bring me back to Afghanistan without consequences," Ghani told his countrymen as several thousand Afghans prepared to leave the country amid the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan.

(With inputs from Agencies)

Afghanistan's former president Ashraf Ghani said he was in the UAE, just days after leaving the country as the Taliban took control of capital Kabul. Ghani said he left the country since his life was in danger and that the "Taliban gunmen were already at the Palace gates".

Afghanistan's former president Ashraf Ghani said he was in the UAE, just days after leaving the country as the Taliban took control of capital Kabul. Ghani said he left the country since his life was in danger and that the "Taliban gunmen were already at the Palace gates". "There was not much of a choice. I either had to stay or go," Ghani said. Watch: Here are eight major takeaways from Ghani's video message: Warning about being hanged "All my colleagues in the West told me that if I didn't leave, things would be worse. I would be hanged in front of my people and the great shameful historical tragedy would happen again," Ghani said. Didn't take anything "Don't believe those who say your president sold you out and fled. I left Afghanistan in a vest, shoes and a T-shirt and I didn't take anything else with me," Ghani informed. Foreigners entered presidential palace "I had a responsibility to my people, and I didn't want to start a bloodbath like in Syria and Yemen. After I left the country, the Taliban and unknown persons who do not speak any of our country's languages entered the palace," Ghani informed. Would have been executed "If I had stayed, I would have been executed in front of the people like Najibullah," he said. Didn't take money "The headlines about me taking all the money out of Afghanistan are not true. The situation has not deteriorated in Kabul because I left my post," Ghani said in a Facebook video. Media wants to defame me "All the government valuables fell into the wrong hands. I had no management when I left Afghanistan," the former president said, adding," In the last few days, I've seen that the media wants to defame me." Welcome peace talks "I welcome the peace talks that Abdullah Abdullah and Hamid Karzai are conducting and wish them success. I was saving the people as best I could," Ghani said in the video. Wanting to go back to Afghanistan "I am currently in the UAE to prevent and try to make decisions that would bring me back to Afghanistan without consequences," Ghani told his countrymen as several thousand Afghans prepared to leave the country amid the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan. (With inputs from Agencies)

WATCH : 'I left in a vest, shoes and T-shirt': 8 stunning claims by Afghanistan's former president Ashraf Ghani from exile

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".

"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.

<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>

Taliban fighters were seen reportedly climbing on American Black Hawk helicopters as the Afghan troops were pushed back from major areas in Afghanistan.

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<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>
— C4H10FO2P (@markito0171) <a href="https://twitter.com/markito0171/status/1426488151955152896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 14, 2021</a></blockquote>
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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.

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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. <a href="https://t.co/Cm30kn9rVc">pic.twitter.com/Cm30kn9rVc</a>
— 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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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."

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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>
— 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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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.

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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>
— Oryx (@oryxspioenkop) <a href="https://twitter.com/oryxspioenkop/status/1426113294117609472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 13, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of the videos

Social Media -Twitter: Courtesy: @Lone Wolf,&nbsp;@markito0171, @T_Ascendent,&nbsp;@oryxspioenkop

(With inputs from Agencies)

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

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.&nbsp;

Watch:

<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>

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)

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

As the Taliban began consolidating its hold over <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">Afghanistan</a>, Pakistan's foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that those who feared the Taliban would impose a ban on the education of girls and other measures were proved wrong.

“There was a fear that the Taliban would impose a ban on the education of girls, but it has not been happening," Pakistan's foreign minister said.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/ashraf-ghanis-actions-were-very-shameful-former-deputy-advisor-of-ashraf-ghani-shafiq-hamdam-406758/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/womens-poster-defaced-in-kabul-as-taliban-consolidates-hold-over-afghanistan-pictures-406709">Taliban</a> announced a general amnesty and they are opening schools and businesses. They also announced that they would not take revenge and all the measures taken by them so far were peaceful which is welcoming,” Qureshi asserted.

“Entire world knows there was a corrupt setup and system in Afghanistan,” Qureshi said referring to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/watch-i-left-in-a-vest-shoes-and-t-shirt-8-stunning-claims-by-afghanistans-former-president-ashraf-ghani-from-exile-406746">former president Ghani's</a> government.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/live-afghanistan-crisis-taliban-declare-islamic-emirate-of-afghanistan-on-102nd-anniversary-of-countrys-independence-from-british-rule-406687">LIVE Afghanistan ciris: As it happens</a>

Pakistan's foreign minister stated that he had spoken to leaders from&nbsp;China, the United States and the United Kingdom on the Afghan crisis.

The foreign minister said he would be travelling to Iran, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan to discuss the Afghan situation with the leaders of various countries.

“We want that there should be peace in Afghanistan, bazaars should remain open there and Afghanistan should move towards a normal life,” Qureshi said.

Pakistan's foreign minister claimed the country has three million Afghan refugees inside its territory.

Pakistan's interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad had said earlier that the country's borders were in "safe working condition"&nbsp;while saying that trucks were moving along the border with Afghanistan and that the Taliban were taking security measures.

Rashid said around 900 people including foreign diplomats have arrived in Pakistan from Afghanistan with several more were expected in the days ahead.

(With inputs from Agencies)&nbsp;

As the Taliban began consolidating its hold over Afghanistan, Pakistan's foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that those who feared the Taliban would impose a ban on the education of girls and other measures were proved wrong.

As the Taliban began consolidating its hold over Afghanistan, Pakistan's foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that those who feared the Taliban would impose a ban on the education of girls and other measures were proved wrong. “There was a fear that the Taliban would impose a ban on the education of girls, but it has not been happening," Pakistan's foreign minister said. Watch: "The Taliban announced a general amnesty and they are opening schools and businesses. They also announced that they would not take revenge and all the measures taken by them so far were peaceful which is welcoming,” Qureshi asserted. “Entire world knows there was a corrupt setup and system in Afghanistan,” Qureshi said referring to former president Ghani's government. LIVE Afghanistan ciris: As it happens Pakistan's foreign minister stated that he had spoken to leaders from China, the United States and the United Kingdom on the Afghan crisis. The foreign minister said he would be travelling to Iran, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan to discuss the Afghan situation with the leaders of various countries. “We want that there should be peace in Afghanistan, bazaars should remain open there and Afghanistan should move towards a normal life,” Qureshi said. Pakistan's foreign minister claimed the country has three million Afghan refugees inside its territory. Pakistan's interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad had said earlier that the country's borders were in "safe working condition" while saying that trucks were moving along the border with Afghanistan and that the Taliban were taking security measures. Rashid said around 900 people including foreign diplomats have arrived in Pakistan from Afghanistan with several more were expected in the days ahead. (With inputs from Agencies)

They are opening schools and businesses: Pakistan foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi backs Taliban

Following the takeover, footage emerged showing Taliban militants riding bumper cars and merry-go-rounds at an amusement park in Kabul.&nbsp;

Now, another video shows one amusement park engulfed in flames after the Taliban set it on fire.&nbsp;

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;

"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;

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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>
— Ihtesham Afghan (@IhteshamAfghan) <a href="https://twitter.com/IhteshamAfghan/status/1427617097539063818?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 17, 2021</a></blockquote>
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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;

Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of these visuals

&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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

According to news wire Reuters, Afghanistan 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.

Reuters quoting the Taliban member said Haibatullah Akhundzada would likely remain in overall charge.&nbsp;

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:

<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>

The militant group leaders including Khalil Al-Rahman Haqqani earlier had met Abdullah Abdullah and former president&nbsp; 
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, <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> said troops could stay in the country beyond August 31 to evacuate all Americans.

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 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)

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

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.

<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" />

(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)."

<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" />

(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.

<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" />

(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.

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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:<a href="https://t.co/1HtpQ4X2ip">pic.twitter.com/1HtpQ4X2ip</a>
— Leah McElrath 🏳️‍🌈 (@leahmcelrath) <a href="https://twitter.com/leahmcelrath/status/1427643075829059599?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 17, 2021</a></blockquote>
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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.

"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.

Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of the&nbsp;videos

Social Media Video courtesy: @HameedMohdShah, @leahmcelrath

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

How US strategy crumbled in Afghanistan as Biden's approval ratings dive

An administration official revealed Tuesday that the US has blocked almost $9.5 billion in assets belonging to the Afghan central bank and halted cash shipments to the country in an effort to prevent a Taliban-led government from obtaining the funds.&nbsp;

According to the person, any central bank assets held by the Afghan government in the United States will not be available to the Taliban, which is still on the Treasury Department's sanctions list.&nbsp;

According to Afghan authorities, including the bank's acting governor, Ajmal Ahmady, who has fled Kabul, the majority of the assets are held outside of Afghanistan, potentially placing them beyond of reach of the Taliban militants.&nbsp; 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistans-currency-drops-to-a-record-low-as-taliban-take-over-406361">Also read | Afghanistan's currency drops to a record low as Taliban take over</a> 
 
“Given that the Taliban are still on international sanction lists, it is expected (confirmed?) that such assets will be frozen and not accessible to Taliban,” Ahmady said in a Twitter thread on Wednesday.

“We can say the accessible funds to the Taliban are perhaps 0.1-0.2% of Afghanistan’s total international reserves. Not much,” he added.&nbsp;

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First, total DAB reserves were approximately $9.0 billion as of last week. 
 
But this does not mean that DAB held $9.0 billion physically in our vault. 
 
As per international standards, most assets are held in safe, liquid assets such as Treasuries and gold <a href="https://t.co/onpttXyTv7">https://t.co/onpttXyTv7</a>
— Ajmal Ahmady (@aahmady) <a href="https://twitter.com/aahmady/status/1427883011207467009?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The Taliban said on Saturday that the treasury, public facilities and government offices were the property of the nation and “should be strictly guarded.”

The most recent <a href="https://dab.gov.af/sites/default/files/2021-08/Monthly%20Financial%20statement%20%20for%20the%20month%20of%20Jawza%20%201400%20%28English%29%20%20.pdf">financial statement posted online </a>shows DAB holds total assets of about $10 billion, including $1.3 billion-worth of gold reserves and $362 million in foreign currency cash reserves, based on currency conversion rates on June 21, the date of the report. Ahmady estimated total reserves stood at $9 billion last week. 
 
The Taliban are unable to obtain cash due to US sanctions. According to two persons acquainted with the situation, the great bulk of DAB's assets are not now held in Afghanistan.

 
The US Treasury Department did not respond to a request for comment.&nbsp;

An administration official revealed Tuesday that the US has blocked almost $9.5 billion in assets belonging to the Afghan central bank and halted cash shipments to the country in an effort to prevent a Taliban-led government from obtaining the funds.

An administration official revealed Tuesday that the US has blocked almost $9.5 billion in assets belonging to the Afghan central bank and halted cash shipments to the country in an effort to prevent a Taliban-led government from obtaining the funds. According to the person, any central bank assets held by the Afghan government in the United States will not be available to the Taliban, which is still on the Treasury Department's sanctions list. According to Afghan authorities, including the bank's acting governor, Ajmal Ahmady, who has fled Kabul, the majority of the assets are held outside of Afghanistan, potentially placing them beyond of reach of the Taliban militants. Also read | Afghanistan's currency drops to a record low as Taliban take over “Given that the Taliban are still on international sanction lists, it is expected (confirmed?) that such assets will be frozen and not accessible to Taliban,” Ahmady said in a Twitter thread on Wednesday. “We can say the accessible funds to the Taliban are perhaps 0.1-0.2% of Afghanistan’s total international reserves. Not much,” he added. First, total DAB reserves were approximately $9.0 billion as of last week. But this does not mean that DAB held $9.0 billion physically in our vault. As per international standards, most assets are held in safe, liquid assets such as Treasuries and gold https://t.co/onpttXyTv7 — Ajmal Ahmady (@aahmady) August 18, 2021 × The Taliban said on Saturday that the treasury, public facilities and government offices were the property of the nation and “should be strictly guarded.” The most recent financial statement posted online shows DAB holds total assets of about $10 billion, including $1.3 billion-worth of gold reserves and $362 million in foreign currency cash reserves, based on currency conversion rates on June 21, the date of the report. Ahmady estimated total reserves stood at $9 billion last week. The Taliban are unable to obtain cash due to US sanctions. According to two persons acquainted with the situation, the great bulk of DAB's assets are not now held in Afghanistan. The US Treasury Department did not respond to a request for comment.

US chokes Taliban funds, freezes $9.5 billion of Afghan central bank

With the Taliban emerging as the dominant force in Afghanistan, including capital <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/live-afghanistan-crisis-us-says-taliban-has-pledged-safe-passage-406423">Kabul</a>, according to Indian assessment Pakistan based terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) have made their&nbsp;presence in parts of the country.

According to sources, "Pakistani terror groups like LeT have built check posts in some parts of Kabul. There have been reports of looting in Afghanistan's villages".

Sources pointed out that it's too early to say anything since "assumptions can go wrong". The state of flux in Afghanistan&nbsp;after the fall of the previous Ghani government and the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-want-free-media-but-suggestions-apply-406381">Taliban</a> entering into the capital, the big question is what next in terms of the governance structure.

Sources highlighted that&nbsp;"<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-say-they-seek-no-revenge-in-press-conference-will-respect-womens-rights-406379">Afghanistan </a>could become the epicentre of Islamic radicalism, which could have a state which is recognized. IS also had territory but that was geographically far".&nbsp;While the Indian government's priority is bringing back its nationals, the political development in Afghanistan is also dominating the Indian government's thought process on the crisis.

India has been hoping for an inclusive government in Kabul&nbsp;with sources saying&nbsp;that it is "not dominated by Pashtuns". So far, no power-sharing pact has been agreed to with leaders like Dr&nbsp;Abdullah Abdullah or Hamid Karzai.

On Tuesday,&nbsp;Abdul Ghani Baradar reached Kandahar, the traditional capital of the Taliban. And while this development is taking place Amrullah Saleh, former vice president of the country declared himself as the president.

Asked how does India see&nbsp;the Taliban as a political force, the sources said, "India's conduct depends on how other democracies deal with Taliban".

While no one has recognised the Taliban, Beijing has been sending feelers and other regional countries have had contacts with the grouping. Taliban off course has been regular in Islamabad&nbsp;and in the past few months has been visiting Tehran, Moscow&nbsp;and Beijing for legitimacy.

With the Taliban emerging as the dominant force in Afghanistan, including capital Kabul, according to Indian assessment Pakistan based terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) have made their presence in parts of the country.

With the Taliban emerging as the dominant force in Afghanistan, including capital Kabul, according to Indian assessment Pakistan based terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) have made their presence in parts of the country. According to sources, "Pakistani terror groups like LeT have built check posts in some parts of Kabul. There have been reports of looting in Afghanistan's villages". Sources pointed out that it's too early to say anything since "assumptions can go wrong". The state of flux in Afghanistan after the fall of the previous Ghani government and the Taliban entering into the capital, the big question is what next in terms of the governance structure. Sources highlighted that "Afghanistan could become the epicentre of Islamic radicalism, which could have a state which is recognized. IS also had territory but that was geographically far". While the Indian government's priority is bringing back its nationals, the political development in Afghanistan is also dominating the Indian government's thought process on the crisis. India has been hoping for an inclusive government in Kabul with sources saying that it is "not dominated by Pashtuns". So far, no power-sharing pact has been agreed to with leaders like Dr Abdullah Abdullah or Hamid Karzai. On Tuesday, Abdul Ghani Baradar reached Kandahar, the traditional capital of the Taliban. And while this development is taking place Amrullah Saleh, former vice president of the country declared himself as the president. Asked how does India see the Taliban as a political force, the sources said, "India's conduct depends on how other democracies deal with Taliban". While no one has recognised the Taliban, Beijing has been sending feelers and other regional countries have had contacts with the grouping. Taliban off course has been regular in Islamabad and in the past few months has been visiting Tehran, Moscow and Beijing for legitimacy.

Pak terror groups now present in Kabul, finds Indian assessment

At least three people were reported killed in Jalalabad during the city’s protests against the Taliban banner replacing Afghanistan’s national flag.

According to two witnesses and a former police official, Taliban fighters opened fire during anti-Taliban rallies in the Afghan city of Jalalabad, killing and wounding many Jalalabad protestors.

The killings, according to witnesses, occurred as local citizens attempted to raise Afghanistan's national flag in a municipal plaza some 150 kilometres (90 miles) east of Kabul.&nbsp;

As they attempted to cover the turmoil, local media reported they were assaulted by the Taliban.&nbsp;

Video footage shot by Pajhwok Afghan News, a local news agency, showed protesters in the city who were carrying the Afghan flag fleeing with the sound of gunshots in the background.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Taliban?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Taliban</a> firing on protesters in Jalalabad city and beaten some video journalists. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Afghanidtan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Afghanidtan</a> <a href="https://t.co/AbM2JHg9I2">pic.twitter.com/AbM2JHg9I2</a>
— Pajhwok Afghan News (@pajhwok) <a href="https://twitter.com/pajhwok/status/1427907124743614469?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2021</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

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— Najeeb Nangyal (@NajeebNangyal) <a href="https://twitter.com/NajeebNangyal/status/1427875576258437121?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2021</a></blockquote>
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A former police official told Reuters separately that four people had been killed and 13 injured in the protests, without elaborating further.

It was not possible to verify how the deaths occurred. A Taliban militant present in Jalalabad at the time of the incident said that, "There were some troublemakers who wanted to create issues for us. These people are exploiting our relaxed policies. "

&nbsp;

Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of these visuals

(With inputs from agencies)

At least three people were reported killed in Jalalabad during the city’s protests against the Taliban banner replacing Afghanistan’s national flag. According to two witnesses and a former police official, Taliban fighters opened fire during anti-Taliban rallies in the Afghan city of Jalalabad, killing and wounding many Jalalabad protestors.

At least three people were reported killed in Jalalabad during the city’s protests against the Taliban banner replacing Afghanistan’s national flag. According to two witnesses and a former police official, Taliban fighters opened fire during anti-Taliban rallies in the Afghan city of Jalalabad, killing and wounding many Jalalabad protestors. The killings, according to witnesses, occurred as local citizens attempted to raise Afghanistan's national flag in a municipal plaza some 150 kilometres (90 miles) east of Kabul. As they attempted to cover the turmoil, local media reported they were assaulted by the Taliban. Video footage shot by Pajhwok Afghan News, a local news agency, showed protesters in the city who were carrying the Afghan flag fleeing with the sound of gunshots in the background. #Taliban firing on protesters in Jalalabad city and beaten some video journalists. #Afghanidtan pic.twitter.com/AbM2JHg9I2 — Pajhwok Afghan News (@pajhwok) August 18, 2021 × pic.twitter.com/QyqdOT2YUg — Najeeb Nangyal (@NajeebNangyal) August 18, 2021 × A former police official told Reuters separately that four people had been killed and 13 injured in the protests, without elaborating further. It was not possible to verify how the deaths occurred. A Taliban militant present in Jalalabad at the time of the incident said that, "There were some troublemakers who wanted to create issues for us. These people are exploiting our relaxed policies. " Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of these visuals (With inputs from agencies)

Watch: 3 killed, dozens injured after militants open fire on anti-Taliban protesters

Senior Taliban leader Amir Khan Muttaqi is said to be in the Afghan capital negotiating with Kabul's political leadership, including Abdullah Abdullah, who once headed the country's negotiating council and former President Hamid Karzai.

That is according to an official familiar with the talks and who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to the media.

<h2><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/live-afghanistan-crisis-un-says-world-will-scrutinise-taliban-actions-406158">LIVE Afghanistan crisis: UN says world will 'scrutinise' Taliban actions</a></h2>

Muttaqi was a higher education minister when the Taliban last ruled and he began making contacts with Afghan political leaders even before Afghan President Ashraf Ghani secretly slipped away from the Presidential Palace on the weekend, leaving a devastating vacuum that Taliban who were surrounding the city strode in to fill.

The official says the talks underway in the Afghan capital are aimed at bringing other non-Taliban leaders into the government that Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen has said will be an "inclusive Afghan government."

There is a little indication about the substance of the talks, but Shaheen earlier told The Associated Press that a government will be announced after negotiations with non-Taliban leaders are completed.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/doomed-from-start-us-invasion-of-afghanistan-was-a-bad-idea-says-last-soviet-leader-gorbachev-406256">Doomed from start: US invasion of Afghanistan was a 'bad idea', says last Soviet leader Gorbachev</a>

Afghans familiar with the talks say some rounds have gone late into the night and have been underway since soon after Ghani's departure.&nbsp;

Senior Taliban leader Amir Khan Muttaqi is said to be in the Afghan capital negotiating with Kabul's political leadership, including Abdullah Abdullah, who once headed the country's negotiating council and former President Hamid Karzai.

Senior Taliban leader Amir Khan Muttaqi is said to be in the Afghan capital negotiating with Kabul's political leadership, including Abdullah Abdullah, who once headed the country's negotiating council and former President Hamid Karzai. That is according to an official familiar with the talks and who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to the media. LIVE Afghanistan crisis: UN says world will 'scrutinise' Taliban actions Muttaqi was a higher education minister when the Taliban last ruled and he began making contacts with Afghan political leaders even before Afghan President Ashraf Ghani secretly slipped away from the Presidential Palace on the weekend, leaving a devastating vacuum that Taliban who were surrounding the city strode in to fill. The official says the talks underway in the Afghan capital are aimed at bringing other non-Taliban leaders into the government that Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen has said will be an "inclusive Afghan government." There is a little indication about the substance of the talks, but Shaheen earlier told The Associated Press that a government will be announced after negotiations with non-Taliban leaders are completed. Also read | Doomed from start: US invasion of Afghanistan was a 'bad idea', says last Soviet leader Gorbachev Afghans familiar with the talks say some rounds have gone late into the night and have been underway since soon after Ghani's departure.

Taliban leader reported to be in Kabul for talks

The Taliban declared that the war in Afghanistan was over and that all of their opponents would be pardoned during their first press conference since seizing control of Kabul from the Western-backed government.&nbsp;

“We don’t want any internal or external enemies,” the Taliban’s main spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said.

The Taliban pledged a secure Afghanistan as part of a public relations campaign aimed at persuading world powers and a fearful population that they have reformed. 
 
Mujahid promised the Taliban would honour women's rights, but within the norms of Islamic law.

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Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid says the group seeks no revenge from anyone. 
 
In its first press conference since the sweeping takeover of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Afghanistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Afghanistan</a>, Taliban's <a href="https://twitter.com/Zabehulah_M33?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Zabehulah_M33</a> says they have "emancipated" the nation from foreigners after 20 years of struggle. <a href="https://t.co/eXuzPbMfzM">pic.twitter.com/eXuzPbMfzM</a>
— WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/1427674758359965699?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 17, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The Taliban have attempted to present themselves as more moderate than when they established a harsh rule in the late 1990s, following a rapid advance throughout Afghanistan that saw major cities fall to the militants without a struggle.&nbsp;

The organisation had previously declared a "amnesty" across Afghanistan and asked women to join its administration, in an attempt to calm anxieties in a tense capital city where hundreds had flocked to the city's international airport in a desperate attempt to flee the day before. 
 
The capital of Kabul remained quiet for another day as the Taliban patrolled its streets and many residents stayed home, fearful after the insurgents' takeover saw prisons emptied and armories looted. Many women have expressed dread that the two-decade Western experiment to expand their rights and remake Afghanistan would not survive the resurgent Taliban.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Taliban declared that the war in Afghanistan was over and that all of their opponents would be pardoned during their first press conference since seizing control of Kabul from the Western-backed government.

The Taliban declared that the war in Afghanistan was over and that all of their opponents would be pardoned during their first press conference since seizing control of Kabul from the Western-backed government. “We don’t want any internal or external enemies,” the Taliban’s main spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said. The Taliban pledged a secure Afghanistan as part of a public relations campaign aimed at persuading world powers and a fearful population that they have reformed. Mujahid promised the Taliban would honour women's rights, but within the norms of Islamic law. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid says the group seeks no revenge from anyone. In its first press conference since the sweeping takeover of #Afghanistan, Taliban's @Zabehulah_M33 says they have "emancipated" the nation from foreigners after 20 years of struggle. pic.twitter.com/eXuzPbMfzM — WION (@WIONews) August 17, 2021 × The Taliban have attempted to present themselves as more moderate than when they established a harsh rule in the late 1990s, following a rapid advance throughout Afghanistan that saw major cities fall to the militants without a struggle. The organisation had previously declared a "amnesty" across Afghanistan and asked women to join its administration, in an attempt to calm anxieties in a tense capital city where hundreds had flocked to the city's international airport in a desperate attempt to flee the day before. The capital of Kabul remained quiet for another day as the Taliban patrolled its streets and many residents stayed home, fearful after the insurgents' takeover saw prisons emptied and armories looted. Many women have expressed dread that the two-decade Western experiment to expand their rights and remake Afghanistan would not survive the resurgent Taliban. (With inputs from agencies)

In first press conference, Taliban say they seek no ‘revenge’, will respect women’s rights

As the Taliban consolidated its position in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-terror-groups-now-present-in-kabul-finds-indian-assessment-406431">Kabul</a>, the group said its leaders and co-founder, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, had returned to Afghanistan.

Baradar, who is the chief of the Taliban's political office, arrived in Kandahar. As he stepped out of the plane, the group's leaders cheered on.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/live-afghanistan-crisis-taliban-leader-mullah-baradar-returns-to-kandahar-406423">LIVE Afghanistan crisis: As it happens</a>

The Taliban leader took a&nbsp;C17 aircraft from Qatar and chose to land in the group's spiritual birthplace Kandahar on Tuesday night. The city was the capital of the group during its first time in power in the 90s.

Watch:

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A controversial figure in the Taliban, Baradar was arrested in 2010 in Pakistan but was released from prison three years ago at the request of the former&nbsp;Trump administration as it prepared to open peace talks with the militant group.

Reports say US negotiator Zalmay Khalilzad was instrumental in getting Baradar released from Pakistan's prison. Baradar skillfully handled the talks even as the US government began moves to exit the country. &nbsp;

Baradar had taken part in long drawn-out talks with the US administration which was kicked off under the Trump administration in Doha and later under the present Biden government.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-kabul-evacuation-us-tajik-support-a-long-drive-crossing-15-taliban-check-posts-406428">Taliban</a> on Tuesday assured the international community that it had "pardoned everyone" as Baradar arrived in the country.&nbsp;

"We will not seek revenge," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said.

Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar had earlier met Qatar's foreign minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani before arriving in the country. Doha was the centre of Taliban for several months as the militant group hosted talks with the US government with Baradar leading the delegation.

Baradar is widely seen as a possible future leader of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/human-remains-found-in-landing-gear-of-military-flight-from-kabul-us-air-force-406427">Afghanistan</a> as the Taliban take control of Kabul.

Qatar's foreign minister had urged the Taliban leader to ensure &nbsp;civilians in Afghanistan are protected. On Saturday, Qatar had called for the Taliban to adopt a ceasefire, however, the militant group marched into Kabul on Sunday almost unopposed as President Ghani left the country.

As Baradar entered the country, the US stepped up its evacuation after chaotic scenes on Monday paralysed efforts with Afghans taking over the tarmac at Hamid Karzai international airport.

Evacuation flights from Kabul's airport restarted on Tuesday with Germany and France also evacating their officials.&nbsp;

(With inputs from Agencies)

As the Taliban consolidated its position in Kabul, the group said its leaders and co-founder, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, had returned to Afghanistan. Baradar, who is the chief of the Taliban's political office, arrived in Kandahar.

As the Taliban consolidated its position in Kabul, the group said its leaders and co-founder, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, had returned to Afghanistan. Baradar, who is the chief of the Taliban's political office, arrived in Kandahar. As he stepped out of the plane, the group's leaders cheered on. LIVE Afghanistan crisis: As it happens The Taliban leader took a C17 aircraft from Qatar and chose to land in the group's spiritual birthplace Kandahar on Tuesday night. The city was the capital of the group during its first time in power in the 90s. Watch: A controversial figure in the Taliban, Baradar was arrested in 2010 in Pakistan but was released from prison three years ago at the request of the former Trump administration as it prepared to open peace talks with the militant group. Reports say US negotiator Zalmay Khalilzad was instrumental in getting Baradar released from Pakistan's prison. Baradar skillfully handled the talks even as the US government began moves to exit the country. Baradar had taken part in long drawn-out talks with the US administration which was kicked off under the Trump administration in Doha and later under the present Biden government. The Taliban on Tuesday assured the international community that it had "pardoned everyone" as Baradar arrived in the country. "We will not seek revenge," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said. Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar had earlier met Qatar's foreign minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani before arriving in the country. Doha was the centre of Taliban for several months as the militant group hosted talks with the US government with Baradar leading the delegation. Baradar is widely seen as a possible future leader of Afghanistan as the Taliban take control of Kabul. Qatar's foreign minister had urged the Taliban leader to ensure civilians in Afghanistan are protected. On Saturday, Qatar had called for the Taliban to adopt a ceasefire, however, the militant group marched into Kabul on Sunday almost unopposed as President Ghani left the country. As Baradar entered the country, the US stepped up its evacuation after chaotic scenes on Monday paralysed efforts with Afghans taking over the tarmac at Hamid Karzai international airport. Evacuation flights from Kabul's airport restarted on Tuesday with Germany and France also evacating their officials. (With inputs from Agencies)

Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar: Released from Pak prison earlier, Taliban co-founder is back in Afghanistan

Residents of Afghanistan's Jalalabad city came to the streets on Wednesday, asking that the Afghan flag be reinstalled on government buildings instead of the Taliban's flag.

According to local news outlet Pajhwok Afghan News, Taliban fighters opened fire on the demonstrators.

Some journalists covering the demonstration were also assaulted by Taliban fighters.&nbsp;

According to a video footage, Taliban militants opened fire on a crowd of demonstrators in Jalalabad.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Taliban?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Taliban</a> firing on protesters in Jalalabad city and beaten some video journalists. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Afghanidtan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Afghanidtan</a> <a href="https://t.co/AbM2JHg9I2">pic.twitter.com/AbM2JHg9I2</a>
— Pajhwok Afghan News (@pajhwok) <a href="https://twitter.com/pajhwok/status/1427907124743614469?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Protesters are seen raising the Afghan national flag on a packed street in Jalalabad in the footage, which has since gone viral on social media sites, after which armed Taliban members open fire on them.

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— Najeeb Nangyal (@NajeebNangyal) <a href="https://twitter.com/NajeebNangyal/status/1427875576258437121?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Earlier in the day, a group of Afghan women were observed staging the country's first public demonstration in support of female rights.

The ladies could be heard demanding their rights in recordings published on social media, including social security, the right to work, the right to education, and the right to political engagement.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Disclaimer: WION cannot&nbsp;independently verify the authenticity of these visuals

(With inputs from agencies)

Residents of Afghanistan's Jalalabad city came to the streets on Wednesday, asking that the Afghan flag be reinstalled on government buildings instead of the Taliban's flag.

Residents of Afghanistan's Jalalabad city came to the streets on Wednesday, asking that the Afghan flag be reinstalled on government buildings instead of the Taliban's flag. According to local news outlet Pajhwok Afghan News, Taliban fighters opened fire on the demonstrators. Some journalists covering the demonstration were also assaulted by Taliban fighters. According to a video footage, Taliban militants opened fire on a crowd of demonstrators in Jalalabad. #Taliban firing on protesters in Jalalabad city and beaten some video journalists. #Afghanidtan pic.twitter.com/AbM2JHg9I2 — Pajhwok Afghan News (@pajhwok) August 18, 2021 × Protesters are seen raising the Afghan national flag on a packed street in Jalalabad in the footage, which has since gone viral on social media sites, after which armed Taliban members open fire on them. pic.twitter.com/QyqdOT2YUg — Najeeb Nangyal (@NajeebNangyal) August 18, 2021 × Earlier in the day, a group of Afghan women were observed staging the country's first public demonstration in support of female rights. The ladies could be heard demanding their rights in recordings published on social media, including social security, the right to work, the right to education, and the right to political engagement. Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of these visuals (With inputs from agencies)

WATCH : Taliban fighters shoot at protesters waving national flag in Afghanistan's Jalalabad

Yasmin Nigar Khan, the great-granddaughter of late Afghan political leader Abdul Ghaffar Khan, often known as "Frontier Gandhi," has expressed concern over the country's ongoing violence and the fate of vulnerable populations such as women and children.

"During the previous Taliban rule, they kidnapped young widows to marry them off to their members. They don't want girls to study or go to school. What they describe as Islamic law is a travesty of the religion. Don't girls study in madrassas? Even in Islamic countries, women are encouraged to get a modern education and work alongside men. The Taliban want to take women back to the medieval age, " she said. 
 
Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-say-they-seek-no-revenge-in-press-conference-will-respect-womens-rights-406379">Taliban say they seek no ‘revenge’ in press conference, will respect women’s rights</a>

Yasmin Nigar Khan, the president of the All India Pakhtoon Jirga-e-Hind, the community's highest body in the country, lives in central Kolkata.

The state's 1,000 or so Pakhtoons, as well as lakhs of others who have lived in other areas of the country for centuries, have no hope of going home, but practically everyone has family in Afghanistan or northwestern Pakistan, she said. 
 
Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistans-vice-president-amrullah-saleh-declares-himself-as-caretaker-president-406357" hreflang="en">Afghanistan's Vice President Amrullah Saleh declares himself as caretaker President</a>

"The leaders left the country, but the common people, the poor, the women, the children are making sacrifices. They should be looked after, " she said.

She said the Taliban can not be trusted and appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help Afghanistan.

On Sunday, the Taliban stormed Kabul and took control of the presidential palace.

Fears of a return to the Taliban's violent rule, as well as the danger of retaliatory killings, have gripped the Afghan cities.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Yasmin Nigar Khan, the great-granddaughter of late Afghan political leader Abdul Ghaffar Khan, often known as "Frontier Gandhi," has expressed concern over the country's ongoing violence and the fate of vulnerable populations such as women and children.

Yasmin Nigar Khan, the great-granddaughter of late Afghan political leader Abdul Ghaffar Khan, often known as "Frontier Gandhi," has expressed concern over the country's ongoing violence and the fate of vulnerable populations such as women and children. "During the previous Taliban rule, they kidnapped young widows to marry them off to their members. They don't want girls to study or go to school. What they describe as Islamic law is a travesty of the religion. Don't girls study in madrassas? Even in Islamic countries, women are encouraged to get a modern education and work alongside men. The Taliban want to take women back to the medieval age, " she said. Also Read: Taliban say they seek no ‘revenge’ in press conference, will respect women’s rights Yasmin Nigar Khan, the president of the All India Pakhtoon Jirga-e-Hind, the community's highest body in the country, lives in central Kolkata. The state's 1,000 or so Pakhtoons, as well as lakhs of others who have lived in other areas of the country for centuries, have no hope of going home, but practically everyone has family in Afghanistan or northwestern Pakistan, she said. Also read | Afghanistan's Vice President Amrullah Saleh declares himself as caretaker President "The leaders left the country, but the common people, the poor, the women, the children are making sacrifices. They should be looked after, " she said. She said the Taliban can not be trusted and appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help Afghanistan. On Sunday, the Taliban stormed Kabul and took control of the presidential palace. Fears of a return to the Taliban's violent rule, as well as the danger of retaliatory killings, have gripped the Afghan cities. (With inputs from agencies)

Abdul Ghaffar Khan’s granddaughter says Taliban want to take women back to the medieval age

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