Uncertainty and fear reign in Kabul.
This Sunday, the Taliban arrived at the gates of the city and even returned there, according to residents.
A spokesperson for the armed Islamic group said he had entered into discussions with the government to take the city peacefully.
The Afghan Minister of the Interior is already talking about a “peaceful transfer of power”.
What is the situation there?
After taking many provincial capitals in recent weeks, the Taliban have approached Kabul in recent days by seizing Pul-e-Alam, capital of Logar province, just 50 kilometers south of the city this Friday, then from Jalalabad, about forty kilometers from the capital, this Sunday morning.
Hours later, Kabulians claimed that soldiers had entered the city but that there was no fighting.
As of Saturday evening, many were those who feared the arrival of the Taliban.
Tonight, no one will sleep in Kabul.
The Taliban are at the gates of the capital.
#Afghanistan
- Ghazal Golshiri (@GhazalGolshiri) August 14, 2021
In just ten days, the Taliban, which launched their offensive in May with the start of the final withdrawal of American and foreign troops, seized the vast majority of the country.
A handful of minor towns are still under government control.
But they are dispersed and cut off from the capital and no longer have great strategic value.
What are the Taliban saying?
This Sunday morning, Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesperson for the Taliban, posted a statement on Twitter in which he said the fighters were ordered to stay out of town.
He explains that negotiations are underway with the government and that the armed Islamic group wishes to take the city without a fight, in order to avoid civilian casualties.
په کابل ښار کې د جګړې نه کولو په اړه د اسلامي امارت اعلامیه https://t.co/DZWnmSsMfd pic.twitter.com/AFkV9DlDkN
- Zabihullah (..ذبـــــیح الله م) (@ Zabehulah_M33) August 15, 2021
In the same statement, Zabihullah Mujahid urges the population not to flee the country and assures that the Taliban will not take revenge on the Afghans working in the army or the government administration.
A message in line with the more moderate image that the tailbans are trying to convey.
But the facts reported in the newly conquered areas show that they have already committed numerous abuses: murders of civilians, beheadings, kidnappings of teenage girls to marry them by force, in particular.
What is the government's response?
The head of the Turkish media office Middle East Eye confirmed that a Taliban delegation was in the presidential palace on Sunday morning to start negotiations with the government.
The Minister of the Interior also promised, in the morning this Sunday, a "peaceful transfer of power to a transitional government".
For his part, Matin Bek, the chief of staff of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, tried to reassure the population on Twitter, telling him not to “panic” and affirming that Kabul was “safe”.
Don't panic!
Kabul is safe!
- Morning Bek (@MatinBek) August 15, 2021
In parallel, according to The Guardian, an emergency meeting was organized this Sunday morning between President Ashraf Ghani, the United States' special envoy for Afghan reconciliation, and representatives of NATO.
What are the international reactions?
US President Joe Biden on Sunday authorized the deployment of more than 1,000 additional troops to speed up the evacuation of American personnel and Afghans who worked with the United States.
They are now nearly 5,000 to ensure that this departure from Afghanistan goes smoothly.
Read alsoAfghanistan: with the progression of the Taliban, life under Sharia resumes and the specters of the past resurface
Russia has said it is working with "partners" to convene an emergency UN meeting on the fate of Afghanistan.