Afghanistan: Taliban to announce Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan from presidential palace
Taliban forces fanned out across Kabul on Sunday night as an official with the militant group said it would soon announce the creation of the “Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan” from the presidential palace in the capital.
That was the name of the country under Taliban rule before the militants were ousted by US-led forces after the 9/11 attacks. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief the media.
The Al-Jazeera news network later aired footage showing a group of Taliban fighters inside the presidential palace.
The city was gripped by panic, with helicopters racing overhead throughout the day to evacuate personnel from the US embassy. Smoke rose near the compound, as staff destroyed important documents, and the American flag was lowered. Several other Western missions also prepared to pull their people out.