According to a senior Afghan official, President Ashraf Ghani has left the country, while the Taliban have ordered their fighters to enter the Afghan capital, Kabul, and take over security in the city.
Taliban fighters entered the capital after being ordered to enter Afghanistan by the Taliban leadership. Reuters news agency quoted two Taliban commanders as saying that the Taliban had taken control of the Afghan presidential palace.
Earlier, Abdullah Abdullah, chairman of Afghanistan's Supreme National Reconciliation Council, said in a message that "former president" Ashraf Ghani had left the country during this difficult time. "A hard day and night will pass quickly and people will soon see peace."
He called Ashraf Ghani a "former president" and said he had left the country.
Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid shared a statement from his Twitter account, the Islamic Emirate, urging Taliban fighters to enter the city and not to enter anyone's home, to harass anyone. Do not do or cause any harm.
The statement added: "Earlier this morning, the Islamic Emirate sent a message that Taliban fighters should not enter Kabul, but now there are reports that the police have stopped providing security. "Ministries have been vacated, and Kabul security officials have fled."
"If ordinary thieves and robbers do not take advantage of this situation and do not harm the people, then the Islamic Emirate has ordered its fighters to enter Kabul by the same route from which the enemy came out."
Earlier, a Taliban spokesman said their fighters would not enter the city and would wait for a peaceful transfer of power.
He also demanded unconditional surrender from the central government.
The Associated Press quoted Afghan officials as saying that Afghan authorities had handed over Bagram Airbase to the Taliban, where more than 5,000 prisoners are being held.
On Sunday afternoon, acting Interior Minister Abdul Sattar Mirza Kawal announced a peaceful transfer of power to the interim government.
According to the AFP news agency, the interior minister had said in a video message that "the Afghan people need not panic, Kabul will not be attacked and the transfer of power to the interim government will take place peacefully."
In a video message, the interior minister said that talks had taken place and an agreement had been reached not to attack Kabul.
Acting Interior Minister Abdul Sattar Mirza Kawal said talks were underway at the presidential palace for a peaceful transfer of power to the country's interim government.
It is believed that Taliban fighters had entered the outskirts of Kabul on Sunday morning, after which there were sporadic gunfire, but there was silence in the streets of the capital Kabul.
Upon learning of the Taliban's entry into Kabul, government officials from various agencies fled their offices and the city was engulfed in a cloud of smoke as various embassies burned important documents.
Taliban spokesman Sohail Shaheen told a Qatari TV channel that the Taliban were awaiting a peaceful transfer to Kabul.
However, he declined to elaborate on any talks between the Taliban and the government. But when repeatedly asked what kind of agreement the Taliban want, they said, "We want unconditional surrender from the central government."
Sohail Shaheen told the BBC that the Taliban were expecting a peaceful transition of power in the next few days. "We assure the people, especially the residents of Kabul, that their property and lives are safe."
"Our leadership has ordered the forces not to enter the city but to remain at the gates of the city," Shaheen said. "We are waiting for a peaceful transfer of power which will take place in a matter of days." '
An Afghan official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the AP that Taliban negotiators had left for the Afghan presidential palace. However, it is not yet clear when the transfer will take place.
Another Afghan official said talks were being held on behalf of the Afghan government with former President Hamid Karzai and Abdullah Abdullah, head of the Afghan High Reconciliation Council. The official said Abdullah Abdullah and Hamid Karzai appeared to be in a state of tension.
Ashraf Ghani orders Afghan army to take over security in Kabul
Before leaving Afghanistan, President Ashraf Ghani on Sunday urged the Afghan army to ensure the security of the capital, Kabul.
Upon learning of the Taliban's entry into Kabul, government officials from various agencies fled their offices and the city was engulfed in a cloud of smoke as various embassies burned important documents.
Taliban spokesman Sohail Shaheen told a Qatari TV channel that the Taliban were awaiting a peaceful transfer to Kabul.
However, he declined to elaborate on any talks between the Taliban and the government. But when repeatedly asked what kind of agreement the Taliban want, they said, "We want unconditional surrender from the central government."
Sohail Shaheen told the BBC that the Taliban were expecting a peaceful transition of power in the next few days. "We assure the people, especially the residents of Kabul, that their property and lives are safe."
"Our leadership has ordered the forces not to enter the city but to remain at the gates of the city," Shaheen said. "We are waiting for a peaceful transfer of power which will take place in a matter of days." '
An Afghan official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the AP that Taliban negotiators had left for the Afghan presidential palace. However, it is not yet clear when the transfer will take place.
Another Afghan official said talks were being held on behalf of the Afghan government with former President Hamid Karzai and Abdullah Abdullah, head of the Afghan High Reconciliation Council. The official said Abdullah Abdullah and Hamid Karzai appeared to be in a state of tension.
Ashraf Ghani orders Afghan army to take over security in Kabul
Before leaving Afghanistan, President Ashraf Ghani on Sunday urged the Afghan army to ensure the security of the capital, Kabul.
"Pakistan and Afghanistan have been part of the peace process," he said. Pakistan sought to play a positive role in all developments in this regard. Immediately after Ashura, I will contact my neighbors on the orders of the Prime Minister for the betterment, peace and stability of Afghanistan.
The British Foreign Secretary is contacting me today and a delegation of key Afghan leaders is coming to Pakistan. It is likely that I will meet with them. ”The situation in Afghanistan is changing rapidly. We have to play our part responsibly. "
"We will not interfere in Afghanistan's internal affairs," Qureshi said. We have no favorites there. Whatever Afghans decide together, we will say 'Amen' to it.
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