Taliban: The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will soon be declared in Kabul

The Taliban announced on Sunday that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will be declared shortly from the presidential palace in Kabul.

According to the American “Associated Press”, a Taliban official said, “the movement will soon declare the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan from the presidential palace in the capital Kabul.”

This came after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani’s departure from the country, which coincided with the Taliban’s advance into Kabul, according to local officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Abdullah Abdullah, the Chairman of the Afghan National Reconciliation Council, confirmed that “Ghani has already left the country.”

“The former Afghan president escaped Afghanistan, leaving the country in such a terrible condition,” Abdullah added.

Following the withdrawal of security troops from Kabul, Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid said Sunday that parts of his organization had begun to seize control of the city and its government buildings.

Mujahid stated that the movement aims to peacefully extend its authority over the capital and will not use force to do so.

He stated that sections of the Movement will maintain security in Kabul to avoid looting and theft, emphasizing that citizens’ houses would notl be jeopardized.

Despite billions of dollars spent by the US and NATO over almost two decades to develop Afghan security forces, the Taliban have captured practically all of Afghanistan in just over a week.

The Taliban has been expanding its power in Afghanistan since May, coinciding with the commencement of the final phase of American troop withdrawal, which is set to end on August 31.