-This is a developing story. Follow closely for more updates.
Turning to the latest in Afghanistan.
The Taliban today seized the last major city of Jalalabad, controlling cities in the capital's east. But they said this afternoon that they have no plans to capture Kabul "by force."
Meantime, as helicopters began landing at the U.S. Embassy there, President Joe Biden has authorised an additional 1,000 U.S. troops to enable an "orderly and safe evacuation" of American and allied personnel.
Just a short while ago, Taliban fighters are reportedly encircling Kabul as they await a "peaceful transfer" of power.
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The Taliban has, thus far, seized more than two-thirds of the country, and in the past week, they didn't attempt to overrun the capital.
But currently Taliban negotiators are reportedly headed to the presidential palace as they await a "peaceful transfer" of Kabul city.
Now we take a look at today's major developments.
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A state of anarchy in Afghanistan today as the Taliban took over Jalalabad, a major city near Pakistan, leaving the Afghan government in control of only Kabul and six other provincial capitals out of the country's 34.
The lightning offensive has just began around a week ago, and the Taliban have either defeated, co-opted or sent Afghan security forces fleeing wide swathes of the country, some with air support by the U.S. military.
Although Afghans won't warm up to the Taliban, life in Herat city, one of the major cities captured by the Taliban, has restarted under the Taliban regime.
This Taliban fighter says Herat is a huge city and the fighters are alone there, and business continues as normal.
But having overrun the outskirts of the capital of Kabul, the Taliban appear to have moved in for the kill.
Be that as it may, the Taliban today said they have no plans to take Kabul "by force."
While some maintain Afghan forces, which are currently in a state of preparedness for defending the capital, will, knock on wood, keep Taliban fighters away, many believe the Taliban's rapid offensive means it will soon invade the capital, and that the country under Taliban's rule is just a matter of time.
Meantime, armoured vehicles were seen evacuating personnel from embassies there. Some diplomats reportedly destroyed documents before leaving.
President Ashraf Ghani, who spoke to the nation via a televised address yesterday, appears to be in a funk and increasingly isolated as well. Warloads with whom he negotiated to map out plans to defeat the Taliban earlier have either surrendered to the Taliban or fled the country.
The embattled leader today vowed to stick to his guns by fighting the Taliban's offensive. He said he appreciates the courage displayed by the Afghan security and defence forces, and offered condolences to those who lost their lives because of the civil war.
In light of the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, U.S. President Joe Biden has authorised an additional 1,000 troops from the 82nd Airborne Brigade Combat Team for deployment to Afghanistan, which means roughly 5,000 troops will be deployed to Afghanistan in order to ensure an "orderly and safe drawdown" of American and allied personnel.
As diplomats are making no major headway in ongoing negotiations in Qatar, the Afghan President's last resort will likely be seeking support from other countries, including the United States.
While the U.S. could pull a few strings to help Afghanistan fight the menacing Taliban military, U.S. President Joe Biden said the troops he authorised for deployment are limited to ensuring a safe and orderly evacuation. And he stood his ground, saying in a statement presiding over U.S. military presence in Afghanistan forever would not make a difference if the Afghan military is unable to even protect its own country.
The President had earlier announced he would not reverse his decision to withdraw all U.S. troops from Afghanistan, and the deadline for that mission had been set at August 31st.
The U.S. envoy to the peace talks in Qatar has warned the Taliban of a swift retaliation, should they harm any U.S. personnel in Afghanistan. Biden has also directed Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, to support Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and leave no stone unturned in world leaders' quest for a peaceful resolution.
Having been in the throes of a civil war and taken aback, Afghans well-off enough to purchase an air ticket have been flocking to Kabul International Airport, the only way out of the embattled country, with the hope of fleeing the megalomaniac Taliban.
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