Afghanistan On The Brink of Taliban Takeover

15/08/2021 Afghanistan on brink of Taliban takeover as militants near Kabul - BBC News
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LIVE Afghanistan on the brink of Taliban takeover

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2:13 1:29 0:48 0:28
Taliban spokesman tells 'Some people are running, 'We abandoned the Afghan Huge queu
BBC: 'There will be no some are hiding in houses' people' - Tory MP banks as T
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-asia-58219963 1/18
Summary
Peaceful transfer of power to transitional government being prepared, acting interior minister says
The Taliban order their fighters to refrain from violence and allow safe passage for anyone wanting to
leave
They say members of the Afghan security forces will be allowed to return to their homes
Eyewitnesses say the militants met little resistance along the way to the capital
The Taliban capture more territory, including the former US airbase at Bagram and the central
Bamiyan province
UK PM Boris Johnson is to recall Parliament from its summer break on Wednesday to discuss the
crisis
US begins evacuating staff from its embassy in Kabul
Live Reporting Related Stories
Edited by Alix Kroeger
15:02
BREAKING President Ghani has left Afghanistan - reports
Getty Images
Ashraf Ghani has reportedly fled the country
President Ashraf Ghani has left the country, reports say, quoting Afghan officials.
It comes as Taliban reached the outskirts of Kabul.

t co es as a ba eac ed t e outs ts o abu
Vice-president Amrullah Saleh is also reported to have fled.
Mr Ghani has come under increasing pressure to resign as major cities around Afghanistan
have fallen to Taliban militants over the course of 10 days.
14:57
'I saved American lives - but the US has turned its back on me'
Ashitha Nagesh
BBC News
Reuters
Omar* is in Kabul with his wife and children. He worked as a wartime interpreter for US and
allied forces for five years - but now, he says, the US "has turned its back" on him.
"The president of the United States said, 'As you stood with us, we will stand with you'. So right
now, where are they?"
Omar applied for a US visa in 2016, but was rejected for what the US embassy called a "lack of
faithful and valuable service".
Now, Omar believes the Taliban's punishment will be worse for translators, despite a spokesman
saying there will be "no revenge".
"There's no mercy for the linguists," he says. "The Taliban has said before, interpreters were the
eyes and ears of the Americans - so the punishment will be different for us.
"As an interpreter I saved many American lives. So, they've really left me behind. Now I'm about
p y y y
to be killed, as is my family."
*Names have been changed
14:49
Frenzied evacuation of US embassy
Getty Images
Helicopters are dropping flares as they depart to prevent rocket attacks
Helicopters have been seen landing and taking off from the US embassy in Kabul, as the
evacuation of US personnel from Afghanistan gains speed.
As the Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters depart towards Kabul's international airport, some of
them are dropping flares to deter Taliban rocket attacks.
According to NBC News reporter Richard Engel, the embassy will close as soon as all US
personnel are transferred out, following intense negotiations with the Taliban for safe passage.
On Friday, embassy staff received the order to begin destroying sensitive documents, as well as
items "which could be misused in propaganda efforts,” US media reported.
A core group of US diplomats who will are expected to remain in the country after the withdrawal
will remain at the airport for an unspecified amount of time, a US official told the New York
Times.
Report
14:43
US Secretary of State defends withdrawal
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has just spoken on CNN, where he was asked by host
Jake Tapper: "How did President Biden get this so wrong?"
The network then played a clip from Biden, speaking last month, calling a total Taliban victory
"extremely unlikely".
“First, let’s put this context,” said Mr Blinken: "As we’ve discussed before, we were in
Afghanistan for one over-riding purpose - to deal with the folks that attacked us on 9/11.
He says that the US achieved its goals of bringing Osama bin Laden to justice and diminishing
the capabilities of the Al Qaeda terror group.
“On the terms that we went to Afghanistan in the first place, we’ve succeeded in achieving our
objectives,” says Blinken.
"The idea that the status quo could have been maintained by keeping our forces there, I think is
simply wrong," he continues.
He says that Taliban attacks on the US would have ramped up after 1 May, and "the offensive...
to retake these provincial capitals would have commenced" regardless of the US military
presence.
He stressed: “We’re going to keep in place in the region the capacity to see if [there is] any
emergence of a terrorist threat, and to be able to deal with it.”
14:31
Malala: 'Refugees and civilians must be protected'
Malala Yousafzai says she is "deeply worried about women, minorities and human rights
advocates" as the Taliban takes control in Afghanistan.
The women's rights and education activist urged global powers to call for "an immediate
ceasefire" and to protect refugees and civilians.
There is concern that under Taliban rule, women's rights could deteriorate in Afghanistan. When
the militants previously ruled the country girls over the age of 12 did not receive an education
the militants previously ruled the country, girls over the age of 12 did not receive an education
and women could not leave their house without a face covering and a male relative chaperoning
them.
Report
14:22
Flights diverted from Kabul amid evacuation chaos
Lyse Doucet
Chief International Correspondent
The BBC's Lyse Doucet spoke to Newshour from a commercial flight bound for Kabul.
"I am in a civilian aircraft, a commercial flight that has

been circling Kabul for about an hour now
- seeing, from the windows, the
majestic Hindu Kush mountains which are very much part of the
story of
Afghanistan.
Today’s story is one that almost no one would have expected 20

years ago when the US-led
engagement started in Afghanistan.
This flight that I’m on is

meant to take out some 400 people, including 100 children, but we’re
told that
there’s a broken military aircraft on the runway and that’s preventing us from landing.
We’re not sure whether that’s really the case. Is it because aircraft are
taking out Afghan officials
in these last hours? Is it because of other flights, connected to the massive US and British airlift
of both their remaining nationals, as well as other Afghans who are at risk? We’re not sure.
We’ve been diverted - heading back to Dubai - although we’ve

been told the airport will be
clearing for commercial flights.
It’s not clear how long [it will be] until the situation stabilises and it’s clear to all that it’s
safe to
land and safe for people to arrive in Kabul.
14:14
WATCH: Taliban attempt to reassure Afghans
A spokesman for the Taliban has told the BBC's Yalda Hakim that "there will be no revenge" on
the people of Afghanistan.
Suhail Shaheen called the presenter live on air and assured people in Afghanistan, particularly in
the city of Kabul "that their properties, their lives are safe".
Taliban spokesman tells BBC they are 'awaiting a peaceful transfer of power'
14:03
Helicopters fly US embassy staff to airport
The US has been using military helicopters to transport officials and diplomats to the airport from
their heavily fortified embassy compound in Kabul.
President Biden ordered the deployment of an additional 1,000 US troops to support the
evacuation, in addition to the 3000 already deployed in recent days.
It's thought approximately 1,400 staff were working in the country, and US media report that a
core group of diplomats who are set to remain in the country are also being moved to a new
secure location.
AFP/Getty
A US Chinook military helicopter flies above the US embassy in Kabul
13:55
WATCH: UK Afghanistan withdrawal a 'catastrophic miscalculation'
Afghanistan: US and UK withdrawal a catastrophic miscalculation, says Nandy
The shadow foreign secretary is calling on the UK government to act, amid the unfolding crisis in
Afghanistan.
Lisa Nandy says UK politicians have been "slow to respond" and says she wants to hear "an
actual strategy from the government".
Tory MP Tom Tugendhat has also criticised the Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab for not making
any statement as the Taliban advanced across the country over the past week. Read more here.
13:47
Taliban grabs control
This is how quickly the Taliban has moved - from holding pockets of power in early July - to
taking over most of the country by mid-August:
BBC
13:40
'We are scared of what will happen'
Farzana Kochai, an MP in Kabul, says people in Kabul are frightened as the Taliban close in on
the city.
"We are scared of what will happen," she told the BBC.
Kabul: 'Some people are running, some are hiding in houses'
13:33
What is the situation at Kabul's airport?
Getty Images
US officials say diplomats are being ferried by helicopter from the US embassy in the fortified
Wazir Akbar Khan district to the international airport, Reuters reports.
The tarmac is busy with troops, contractors, diplomats and civilians, all trying to get out of the
city, one US reporter says .
Those who are able to fly out are given special bracelets, showing their status as non-
combatants, he adds.
Afghan forces have abandoned the field to Western forces, a pilot, who spoke on condition of
anonymity, told the Associated Press.
Earlier, an Afghan flight loaded with troops who had surrendered to the Taliban landed at the
airport, from Kandahar - despite shrapnel damage from a mortar attack, he added.
13:26
'We abandoned the Afghan people' - Tory MP
Conservative MP Tom Tugendhat, who lived in Afghanistan for four years, described the
situation in the country as "heart-breaking" - and criticised the way the West pulled out the
nation.
"We stripped them effectively of their combat power... and in doing so abandoned the Afghan
people.
"This is the result. This is the decision President Biden and other Nato leaders have taken," says
Mr Tugendhat.
Tory MP Tom Tugendhat: 'We abandoned the Afghan people'
13:17
Taliban promise to respect women's rights
Getty Images
A Taliban spokesman has vowed that the militants will respect the rights of women, and the
press, as it prepares for a transition of power from Afghanistan's civilian government.
The rapid advance of the Taliban - which has taken over the entire country in just 10 days - has
raised particular concerns about what it might mean for the nation's women.
When the Taliban previously controlled Afghanistan, between 1996 and 2002, the group
practiced a version of Sharia law which included stoning for adultery, amputation of limbs for
theft, and preventing girls from going to school beyond the age of 12.
Sunday's statements by the Taliban appear to be aimed at quelling global concern.
The spokesman said that women would be allowed to leave their houses alone and would
continue to have access to education and work.
But this is at odds with reports emerging from other parts of the country which have fallen into
Taliban control. In Kandahar, women working in a bank were told their jobs would now be carried
out by a male relative; in other regions there have been reports of women not being allowed out
alone and being forced to wear the burka.
The spokesman added that the media would be allowed to freely criticise but not indulge in
"character assassination".
13:05
Taliban advance 'will not change US plans'
A US official has said there will be "no change" to US plans to complete its troop pull-out by mid-
September, despite recent developments which have seen the Taliban breach the capital Kabul
in just 10 days.
The unnamed official told the Reuters news agency that the US would only react if the Taliban
interfered with their plans to evacuate embassy staff; the administration has previously warned
of "a swift and strong US military response" if US personnel are put at risk by Taliban actions.
The latest statement is in line with recent comments made by President Joe Biden, who said he
did not regret his move to withdraw troops from Afghanistan, even as the Taliban militants
continued to make rapid advances across the country over the past week.
Mr Biden said the US was keeping the commitments it had made to Afghanistan, such as
providing close air support, paying military salaries and supplying Afghan forces with food and
equipment.
But he added: "They've got to fight for themselves."
12:54
Life in a town taken by the Taliban
The Taliban have made rapid territorial gains in Afghanistan the past few weeks, and there are
increasing concerns about what this means for those under their rule.
BBC Afghanistan Correspondent Secunder Kermani was given rare access to newly captured
Taliban territory in the north of the country – where militants are fighting with security forces in
the city of Mazar-e-Sharif - previously an anti-Taliban stronghold.
Life in a town taken by the Taliban in Afghanistan
12:45
'We await peaceful transfer of power' - Taliban spokesman
BBC World News
A Taliban spokesman has told the BBC's Yalda Hakim "there will be no revenge" on the people
of Afghanistan.
"We assure the people in Afghanistan, particularly in the city of Kabul, that their properties, their
lives are safe - there will be no revenge on anyone," Suhail Shaheen told the BBC.
"We are the servants of the people and of this country."
"Our leadership have instructed our forces to remain at the gate of Kabul - not to enter the city.
We are awaiting a peaceful transfer of power."
He also said all Afghans would have participation in the Islamic government - meaning Afghans
who are not Taliban would also be included.
12:39
What has the conflict cost the US and its allies?
Getty Images
As Washington poured in billions of dollars to fight the Taliban insurgency and fund
reconstruction after invading in 2001, troop numbers went up.
Other countries were also part of the foreign military presence, but the US had by far the biggest
single contingent - and racked up the largest bill.
Between 2010-12, when the US had more than 100,000 soldiers in Afghanistan, the cost of the
war had reached almost $100bn a year, going by official figures.
One academic study, which looked at war costs in both Afghanistan and Pakistan, estimated the
US had spent around $978bn since the 2001 (this includes money allocated for 2020).
The UK and Germany - which had the largest numbers of troops after the US - spent an
estimated $30bn and $19bn respectively.
Read more here.
12:32
Images of women painted over in Kabul
The head of Afghan news service Tolo News, Lotfullah Najafizada, has tweeted this image of a
man covering up pictures of women painted on a wall in Kabul.
Report
Young women in the city have been pleading for help in recent days as the Taliban advanced
towards Kabul.
Prior to 2002 when the Taliban controlled Afghanistan, the militants practiced a version of Sharia
law which included stoning for adultery, amputation of limbs for theft, and preventing girls from
going to school beyond the age of 12
going to school beyond the age of 12.
A Taliban official has just been quoted as saying that the decision on whether to impose
punishments like this would be "up to the courts".
Reports from areas the Taliban have captured in recent days indicate that women are already
not being allowed out of their homes without a male companion and that some female
employees were told their jobs would now be carried out by men. Women in these areas are
also being told to wear burkas.
12:23
UK parliament 'to be recalled on Wednesday'
European Photopress Agency
The BBC understands that UK parliament will sit on Wednesday, after a Downing Street source
said Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to recall MPs from the summer recess to discuss the
situation in Afghanistan.
Shadow Foreign Secretary Lisa Nandy said: "It beggars belief that in the face of all that, the [UK]
government has been so slow to respond.
"What we need to hear now is an actual strategy from the government."
She said it had been "clear for days" there had been a "catastrophic miscalculation" by the US
and UK, who overestimated the strength of Afghanistan's government.
The decision by allies to pull out of Afghanistan showed a lack of "strategic patience", stripped
the Afghan army of their logistics and air support and "convinced them there was no tomorrow",
C ti MP T T dh t t ld th BBC
Conservative MP Tom Tugendhat told the BBC.
He suggested the strategy emboldened Taliban militants, allowing them to sweep through many
major cities.
Mr Tugendhat, who is chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, said the UK had "abandoned
the Afghan people".
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15/08/2021 Afghanistan on brink of Taliban takeover as militants near Kabul - BBC News

Let us know you agree to cookies

Home News Sport Weather iPlayer Sounds CBBC M

LIVE Afghanistan on the brink of Taliban takeover

2:13 1:29 0:48 0:28

BBC BBC BBC BBC

Live Reporting Related Stories

Edited by Alix Kroeger

Ashraf Ghani has reportedly fled the country

It comes as Taliban reached the outskirts of Kabul.

Vice-president Amrullah Saleh is also reported to have fled.

*Names have been changed

Helicopters are dropping flares as they depart to prevent rocket attacks

Chief International Correspondent

"I am in a civilian aircraft, a commercial flight that has

Today’s story is one that almost no one would have expected 20

This flight that I’m on is

We’ve been diverted - heading back to Dubai - although we’ve

A US Chinook military helicopter flies above the US embassy in Kabul

Afghanistan: US and UK withdrawal a catastrophic miscalculation, says Nandy

Kabul: 'Some people are running, some are hiding in houses'

Tory MP Tom Tugendhat: 'We abandoned the Afghan people'

Sunday's statements by the Taliban appear to be aimed at quelling global concern.

But he added: "They've got to fight for themselves."

Life in a town taken by the Taliban in Afghanistan

"We are the servants of the people and of this country."

Read more here.

European Photopress Agency

"What we need to hear now is an actual strategy from the government."

BBC News Services

Get news alerts Contact BBC News

Explore the BBC

Terms of Use About the BBC

Privacy Policy Cookies

Accessibility Help Parental Guidance

Contact the BBC Get Personalised Newsletters

You might also like