Taliban 'Take Control' of Afghan Presidential Palace: Report

Syed liyaqat
Taliban commanders said on Sunday, 15 August, that they have taken control of the Afghan Presidential Palace, news agency Reuters reported, hours after Taliban fighters entered Kabul.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani has left the country for Tajikistan, reports said.

Earlier in the day, negotiations had begun with the Afghanistan government for an 'unconditional surrender' and a 'peaceful transfer of power'. Reports had indicated that the resignation of President Ghani was imminent, and an interim administration might take over.

Kabul was the only major Afghan city under the control of the country's central government, as more and more cities fell to the Taliban in the last few days in its unprecedented advance.Snapshot
The Taliban had earlier said in a statement that they had no plans to take the Afghan capital “by force”

Later in the day, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said that in order to prevent looting and chaos, their forces will enter some parts of Kabul

Following the withdrawal of majority of US troops on 1 May, Taliban has advanced rapidly in the country, capturing cities after cities

After the fall of Mazar-e-Sharif and Jalalabad, the Taliban controlled all major Afghan cities, except Kabul

9:36 PM , 15 AUG
Taliban 'Take Control' of Afghan Presidential Palace: Report
Taliban commanders said they have taken control of the Afghan Presidential Palace, news agency Reuters reported.

8:16 PM , 15 AUG
Taliban Will Enter Some Parts of Kabul to Prevent Chaos: Spokesperson
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid has said that in order to prevent looting and chaos, their forces will enter some parts of Kabul and occupy outposts that have been evacuated by security forces, as he asked people to not panic from their entrance, TOLONews reported.