TALIBAN CLAIM CONTROL OVER CAPITAL OF SOUTHEASTERN PAKTIKA PROVINCE

Sat 14 August 2021:

The Taliban movement announced the capture of Sharana, the capital of the southeastern Afghan province of Paktika, on Saturday.

The spokesman of the Taliban, Zabihullah Mujahid, tweeted that the building of the governor administration, the police headquarters, and other public buildings were under control of the Islamist movement.

The militants also seized the armament of the government troops who switched sides.

On Friday, the organization said it seized the capital of Logar province, Pol-e Alam, located some 50 kilometers (31 miles) from Kabul.

Taliban ‘within seven miles of Kabul’

According to BBC a local lawmaker has told AP news agency that the Taliban have reached Char Asyab district, just seven miles (11km) south of the capital, Kabul.

If confirmed by the government, it is the closest they have advanced so far, and is another blow to Afghan forces, who are fighting to keep the Taliban away from Kabul.

UK troops depart to help evacuation

Images showing members of the British armed forces heading to Kabul to help evacuate UK nationals and other eligible staff have been released by the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

Some 600 troops are being deployed to help as part of Operation Pitting.

The UK is urging all citizens to leave the country immediately due to the “deteriorating security situation” and is offering assistance.

Italy Mulls Evacuation Of Embassy Staff From Kabul

Italy makes preparations for any developments in Afghanistan and considers evacuation of the embassy workers and compatriots, Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio said on Saturday.

“I have discussed the situation with Prime Minister [Mario] Draghi. In the foreign ministry we monitor it 24 hours a day in a close cooperation with our embassy in Kabul, the defense and interior ministries, as well as the intelligence. The priority is ensuring safety for our compatriots,” Di Maio said in an interview to the Corriere della Sera newspaper.

President Ashraf Ghani: ‘Consultations with int’l partners’ under way

In a televised speech, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani addressed the nation for the first time since the Taliban made major gains in recent days.

Ghani said “widespread consultations with representatives of the people and leaders and with our international partners” are being carried out in a “speedy manner”.

“In the current situation, the remobilisation of our security and defense forces is our top priority, and serious steps are being taken in this regard,” he said.

“I would like to assure you as your president … we are going to prevent further displacement of people,” Ghani added, without providing more details.

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