The Taliban is in control of Afghanistan after President Ashraf Ghani fled the country and conceded that the insurgents had won the 20-year war.
Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Taliban’s political office on Sunday declared the war was over in Afghanistan and called for peaceful relations with the international community.
On Sunday, Taliban commanders said that they have taken control of the Afghan Presidential Palace, news agency Reuters reported, hours after Taliban fighters entered Kabul.
Earlier in the day, negotiations had begun with the Afghanistan government for an 'unconditional surrender' and a 'peaceful transfer of power'.
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.
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
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President Ashraf Ghani Issues Statement
President Ashraf Ghani, who fled to Tajikistan on Sunday, as the Taliban reached Kabul for a transfer of power, said that he left Afghanistan in order to avoid violence and bloodshed.
In his first statement since the terror organisation took over the presidential palace in Afghanistan, Ghani said, "The Taliban have made it to remove me; they are here to attack all Kabul and the people of Kabul. In order to avoid the bleeding flood, I thought it was best to get out."
Taliban Issues Statement After Taking Over Afghanistan
Taliban spokesman Mohammad Naeem said in interviews with Al Jazeera TV that the Taliban did not want to live in isolation and the type of rule and the form of regime would be clear soon.
US Military Secure Perimeter of Kabul Airport
The US military has secured the perimeter of Kabul airport, the State Department says, adding that Washington's embassy in the Afghan capital has been completely evacuated, reports AFP.
Taliban 'Take Control' of Afghan Presidential Palace: Report
Taliban commanders said they have taken control of the Afghan Presidential Palace, news agency Reuters reported.