Sunday in Afghanistan was filled with chaos as the Afghan government collapsed and the Taliban invaded Kabul, the country’s capital after virtually surrounding the city from all sides.
Afghan President, Ashraf Ghani fled abroad alongside western diplomats, civilians, and Afghans who are likely to be targeted by the insurgents.
The signals the abrupt end of America’s dominant presence in Afghanistan which has lasted two decades.
Demoralized Afghan security forces offered no resistance as the insurgents, who seized most of the country in just over a week, appeared Sunday morning on Kabul’s outskirts.
The insurgents had earlier promised not to enter the capital while a transitional government is being formed, however, they reversed their stance by nightfall.
The group claimed that someone needed to maintain public order after Afghan police deserted their posts.
“To prevent chaos and looting, the Islamic Emirate has ordered the mujahedeen to get control of the abandoned areas,” a Taliban statement said. The Taliban fighters, it added, wouldn’t bother any civilian or military officials of the former regime.
By evening, the main road to the Kabul airport was packed with Afghans desperately trying to escape and with thousands of American troops protecting the evacuation effort.
Commercial flights were suspended after sporadic gunfire erupted at the Kabul airport, according to two senior U.S. military officials.
Though the Taliban had promised a peaceful transition, the U.S. Embassy suspended operations and warned Americans to seek shelter rather than try to get to the airport.
Evacuations continued on military flights, but the halt to commercial traffic closed off one of the last routes available for fleeing Afghans.
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