The group has continued to carry out attacks in Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover, especially against the country’s minority groups.
The White House released a 12-page report summarising the administration's conditions that led to the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan
Last week, an estimated 200 foreigners, including Americans, left Afghanistan on a commercial flight out of Kabul with the cooperation of the Taliban — the first such large-scale departure since US forces completed their frantic withdrawal.
Anamullah Samangani, from the Taliban's cultural commission on Thursday, said that Mullah Hebatullah Akhundzada will be the leader of the new government.
Siraj-ul Haq said that after the withdrawal of US and NATO forces from Afghanistan, the responsibilities of the Afghan Taliban have increased as the country has turned into a dilapidated structure after a long war.
“It was just definitely very tense, and we were definitely all on edge watching everything going on to make sure that we were ready,” said Air Force Capt. Kirby Wedan, pilot of MOOSE81, who led the final formation of five aircraft out.
The Taliban took out 'victory' parades in Afghanistan after the last US troops left the country overnight. They paraded coffins draped in the UK, US, French and NATO flags through the streets.
America’s longest war in history came to an unceremonious end on Monday midnight after the last five US -17 military cargo jets left Kabul airport. This was followed by nightlong heavy celebratory firing by Taliban fighters across Kabul, which went on till early morning.
The president said he has asked the Secretary of State to lead the continued coordination with US international partners to ensure safe passage for any Americans, Afghan partners and foreign nationals who want to leave Afghanistan.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid says his group “strongly condemns” Thursday's attack and is paying close attention to security. The attack was believed to be carried out by Afghanistan's Islamic State group affiliate, which is separate from and more radical than the Taliban.
He also pushed back against criticism that the U.S. should have done more to plan for the evacuation and withdrawal, which has been marked by scenes of violence and chaos as thousands attempted to flee while the Taliban advanced.
“The Taliban no longer has fear or respect for America, or America’s power. What a disgrace it will be when the Taliban raises their flag over America’s Embassy in Kabul. This is a complete failure through weakness, incompetence, and total strategic incoherence,” Trump said in a statement.
US troops will also help in evacuation of Afghans who worked with the military during the nearly two-decade war.
The US has already pulled back most of its forces from Afghanistan and is looking to complete the drawdown by Aug 31, ending nearly two-decade of its military presence in the country.
President Joe Biden has ordered the withdrawal of all US troops from Afghanistan by September 11.
I don't think the end game is yet written. A negative outcome, a Taliban automatic takeover, is not a foregone conclusion. While the militants are yet to capture any of the country's 34 provincial capitals, they are pressuring about half of them, said Top US General Milley.
Earlier this week, Taliban advances forced hundreds of Afghan soldiers to flee across the border into Tajikistan, which hosts a Russian military base.
When asked by reporters at the White House whether the US will complete withdrawal in the next few days, Biden replied, "No, we're on track exactly as to where we expect it to be."
The officials were not authorized to discuss details of the withdrawal and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.
US Secretary of Defence Mark Esper confirmed that US troops in Afghanistan would be reduced to less than 5,000 by the end of November.
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