US to send another 1,000 troops to Afghanistan

By Betul Yuruk

NEW YORK (AA) - The US will send an additional 1,000 troops to help evacuate its embassy staff from the Afghan capital.

President Joe Biden authorized the move to support the ongoing evacuation of embassy personnel in Kabul after the Taliban took over the city.

US troops sent to Kabul, whose number has reached around 5,000, will also help evacuate Afghans who have provided assistance to American soldiers in Afghanistan for 20 years.

The Biden administration's last-minute decision reflected the "extremely grave" state of security in Afghanistan, according to the American press.

The development comes after the Taliban made rapid military advances, taking control of the country as Afghan government forces fled or surrendered.

The Taliban took over control of the presidential palace in Kabul on Sunday, according to Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid.

This came following an eventful day which saw minute-to-minute developments, including the Taliban's entering the besieged capital and the departure of embattled President Ashraf Ghani along with his close aides.

Ghani, who was dubbed “the former president” by the head of Afghanistan's National Reconciliation Council, Abdullah Abdullah, in a video message, left the country.

"He [Ghani] left Afghanistan in a hard time. God holds him accountable,” Abdullah said in the message in the Persian language.

Following the departure of Ghani, former President Hamid Karzai, veteran politicians Gulbuddin Hekmatyar and Abdullah formed a council with the aim of ensuring a smooth transfer of power.

Defending his decision, Ghani said in a message that he had left Kabul in order to avoid bloodshed.

Mujahid said the Taliban will not accept any transitional setup. Instead, he added, the group wants an immediate transition of power.

A delegation of the Taliban's military commission is present at the presidential palace to negotiate the transfer of power, he told ABC News.

The Taliban’s consultative council has already announced a general amnesty for Afghan forces and government officials in the case of an unconditional surrender.

- Ghost town

US forces’ helicopters were seen conducting back and forth flights between the American Embassy and Kabul airport to evacuate US diplomats.

"Kabul looks like a ghost city as I speak. All shops, markets and restaurants are closed. Roads and streets wear a deserted look," Anis Khan, a Kabul-based journalist, told local broadcaster Geo News.

"The city is in the grip of fear and confusion," Khan added.

*Writing by Merve Berker