Franklin, Andrews, Kramer & Edelstein

[scion]

Live Afghanistan: Taliban fighters instructed to wait outside Kabul as they prepare to take power

By: Maighna Nanu
15 AUGUST 2021 • 11:09AM
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2021/08/15/afghanistan-taliban-enter-kabul-seizing-control-major-cities/

* UK in rush to evacuate envoy from Afghanistan
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* Ben Wallace: We have not betrayed Afghanistan
* Con Coughlin: Taliban's foreign allies have put it on brink of victory

Taliban fighters entered the outskirts of the Afghan capital on Sunday, further tightening their grip on the country as panicked workers fled government offices and helicopters landed at the US Embassy.

Three Afghan officials said that the Taliban were in the districts of Kalakan, Qarabagh and Paghman in the capital. The militants later pledged not to take Kabul "by force" as sporadic gunfire could be heard in the capital. "No one's life, property and dignity will be harmed and the lives of the citizens of Kabul will not be at risk," the Taliban said. In a nationwide offensive that has taken just over a week, the Taliban has defeated, co-opted or sent Afghan security forces fleeing from wide swaths of the country, even though they had some air support from the US military.

Britain's ambassador Sir Laurie Bristow was due to be airlifted from Afghanistan by Monday evening, as the number of UK diplomats and government officials in the country has already dropped from 500 to the "low tens".

The lightning speed of the Taliban offensive has shocked many and raised questions about why Afghan forces crumbled despite years of training and billions of dollars spent.

Just days ago, an American military assessment estimated it would be a month before the capital would come under insurgent pressure.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2021/08/15/afghanistan-taliban-enter-kabul-seizing-control-major-cities/