Thousands of Afghani citizens are trying to flee the country after the Taliban took control of Kabul.
The Taliban have declared the war in Afghanistan to be over, after the sitting government and its army collapsed in the wake of the American withdrawal from the country.
Distressing scenes of people trying to climb aboard planes leaving Kabul Airport have been broadcast around the world, as Afghanis prepare for a return to mujahideen rule.
The sheer helplessness at Kabul airport. It’s heartbreaking! #KabulHasFallen pic.twitter.com/brA3WRdPp8
— Ahmer Khan (@ahmermkhan) August 16, 2021
The few remaining US troops at the airport fired into the air in an effort to calm the crowds, as desperation and despair set in among those hoping to flee.
More pictures from Kabul Airport. People want to just leave Afghanistan for whatever it takes for an air ticket. pic.twitter.com/MU46GhI0PZ
— Sudhir Chaudhary (@sudhirchaudhary) August 16, 2021
US forces at Kabul Airport. #Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/6turnSnd1g
— Ihtisham Ul Haq (@iihtishamm) August 16, 2021
President Ashraf Ghani fled the country yesterday as the chaos unfolded in the capital, with Taliban forces quickly taking control of the presidential palace and parliament.
Talban taking Charge of Govt Offices in #Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/wTUEVaJaco
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) August 16, 2021
The president claimed he made the decision to leave so as to avoid bloodshed among the millions of citizens who would be caught up in battle.
Some of those left behind branded him a coward, however.
Awful, chaotic scenes at Hamid Karzai International Airport. People scrambling and no where to go. Woman says "look at the state of the people of Afghanistan" #Kabul pic.twitter.com/5Ohe1c81uB
— Yalda Hakim (@SkyYaldaHakim) August 15, 2021
Airport in #Kabul… Listen .. #kabulairport #Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/0hsDWNqOFS
— Natalie Amiri (@NatalieAmiri) August 16, 2021
It is now feared the country will see a swift return to Sharia Law under the Taliban if the extremism of their 1996-2001 rule is to be replicated.
Twenty years on from the beginning of the US war on Afghanistan, President Joe Biden has been widely condemned for his handling of the army’s withdrawal, with Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell insisting it amounted to a “shameful failure of American leadership.”
“Terrorists and major competitors like China are watching the embarrassment of a superpower laid low,” McConnell claimed.
U.S. Helicopters Rush In To Evacuate Americans At Embassy In Kabul: ‘This Is Joe Biden’s Saigon’ https://t.co/peoNmIE4hz pic.twitter.com/MbznEXgA2e
— Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) August 15, 2021
Two people are thought to have fallen from a plane after take-off, having reportedly clung on to its landing in an attempt to escape:
https://twitter.com/AsvakaNews/status/1427181300054515730
https://twitter.com/TedBuddy8/status/1427171336854536194
The USA evacuates Embassy Staff via helicopter in Kabul after defeat in the War in Afghanistan.
Please pray for Afghanistan's Christians under the new Taliban regime. pic.twitter.com/DSFObFpmUq
— Catholic Arena (@CatholicArena) August 15, 2021