Taliban forces took control of the Presidential Palace, in Kabul, on Sunday, after weeks of fighting their way to the capital city. Other capitals such as Kandahar and Jalalabad have all fallen victims to Taliban advances in the weeks prior to Sunday’s invasion.

This takeover was the direct result of US-led forces pulling out of Afghanistan, after a 20-year occupation. It was reported that the US had spent more than $2 trillion dollars in their “war against terror” campaign, including $82 billion to train the Afghan Army against future Taliban attacks.

A video clip purportedly showing more than a dozen armed Taliban commandos posing for the camera in the office of President Ashraf Ghani (photo below), who had already fled the country earlier due to growing concerns of a hostile Taliban takeover.

In fact, many Afghans are flocking to Kabul Airport in hopes of trying to make it out of the country due to rising safety concerns. The roads leading to the airport were congested and at least three people fell to their deaths after trying to cling to a US military aircraft as it took off the runway. Video of the incident below. Viewer discretion is advised.

Lest we forget, the Taliban is a militant group hell bent on re-establishing the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, the formal name given to the country under Taliban rule before the militants were ousted by US forces about 20 years ago. Their main aim is to establish an Islamic state, which is to be governed by their own violent understanding of sharia law.

Afghans have been through hell during the Taliban rule, and it is no wonder that many Afghans – men and women – do not wish to be under such governance again.

“Our guarantees, our official statements ensuring that they will be no danger to their property, honor and life,” the Taliban’s spokesman Suhail Shaheen said.

Whether this transition of power is as peaceful as the Taliban spokesperson claims, it has yet to be seen. May Allah have mercy on us all.

#PrayForAfghanistan