2 Killed in Afghanistan's Asadabad During Rally; Flag Protests in Kabul
Catch all the live updates of the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan here.
A Taliban fighter stands guard at a checkpoint near the US embassy that was previously manned by American troops, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021.
(Photo: AP via PTI)
At least two people have been killed in Afghanistan's Asadabad during a rally to mark the country's Independence Day on Thursday, 19 August. Reports pointed to firing by the Taliban and a stampede, though it's not clear what caused the deaths.
Protests were also witnessed in Jalalabad and Kabul, with people carrying the national flag.
Meanwhile, Ashraf Ghani made his first appearance since fleeing Kabul on Sunday. In a recorded video message, broadcast on his Facebook page, Ghani said that he had no intention of remaining in exile in the UAE and was "in talks" to return home.
The Taliban took control of Afghanistan on Sunday, as Ghani fled the country and conceded that the insurgents had won the 20-year war.
India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday said that the country is "very carefully" following developments in Afghanistan
Taliban commander and senior leader of the Haqqani Network terrorist group, Anas Haqqani, met ex-President Hamid Karzai on Wednesday
Meanwhile, UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation said that Ashraf Ghani and his family are in the nation
At least three people died and a dozen others were injured as a protest took place in support of the national flag in Jalalabad city on Wednesday, reports said
The Taliban on Tuesday said it does not have enmity towards anyone and based on their leader's orders, they have pardoned everyone, TOLONews reported
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India 'Very Carefully' Following Developments in Afghanistan: S Jaishankar
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday said India is "very carefully" following the developments in Afghanistan and the country's focus is on ensuring the security and safe return of Indian nationals still in the war-torn country.
Ashraf Ghani Vows to Return to Afghanistan
Ashraf Ghani, in his first appearance since leaving Kabul on Sunday has reiterated that he had left in order to spare the country more bloodshed.
In a recorded video message, broadcast on his Facebook page, Ghani said he had no intention of remaining in exile in the Gulf nation and was "in talks" to return home.
He also said he was making efforts to "safeguard the rule of Afghans over our country", without offering details.
"For now, I am in the Emirates so that bloodshed and chaos is stopped," Ghani said from the UAE, which confirmed Wednesday he was being hosted there on "humanitarian grounds".
Biden Says Impossible to Leave Afghanistan Without Chaos
US President Joe Biden said on Wednesday it had been impossible to leave Afghanistan without chaos, as the United States pleaded with the victorious Taliban to allow safe passage for people to flee.
"The idea that somehow there's a way to have gotten out without chaos ensuing, I don't know how that happens," Biden said in an ABC News television interview.
Nothing Indicated Afghan Collapse in 11 Days: Top US General
The Pentagon's top general said that no one foresaw the collapse of US-trained Afghan forces that fast.
"There was nothing that I, or anyone else, saw that indicated a collapse of this army and this government in 11 days," US Joint Chiefs Chairman General Mark Milley said, according to AFP.
"The Afghan security forces had the capacity, and by that I mean they had the training, the size, the capability, to defend their country. This comes down to an issue of will and leadership," he added.
Too Big For Pak to Swallow or Taliban to Rule: Afghan 'Caretaker' President Saleh
Afghanistan leader and former Vice President Amrullah Saleh, who has declared himself the 'caretaker President' of the country after Ashraf Ghani fled, took to Twitter on Thursday, 19 August to say that "Afghanistan is too big for Pakistan to swallow and too big for Talibs to govern."
Saleh's comments come just two days after he declared that he will not surrender to a Taliban rule under any circumstances.
"Nations must respect the rule of law , not violence. Afghanistan is too big for Pakistan to swallow and too big for Talibs to govern. Don't let your histories have a chapter on humiliation and bowing to terror groups (sic)," he tweeted.
US Urges Taliban to Allow Fleeing Afghans Safe Passage
The United States said Wednesday the Taliban were reneging on pledges to allow Afghans who worked with the United States and its allies out of the country.
"We have seen reports that the Taliban, contrary to their public statements and their commitments to our government, are blocking Afghans who wish to leave the country from reaching the airport," Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman told reporters, according to AFP.
"We expect them to allow all American citizens, all third-country nationals and all Afghans who wish to leave to do so safely and without harassment," she added.
2 Killed in Afghanistan's Asadabad During Rally; Flag Protests in Kabul, Jalalabad
At least two people have been killed in Afghanistan's Asadabad during a rally to mark the country's Independence Day on Thursday. Reports pointed to firing by the Taliban and a stampede, though it's not clear what caused the deaths.
Protests were also witnessed in Jalalabad and Kabul, with people carrying the national flag, Al Jazeera and Reuters reported.