Afghanistan Will Have 'Peaceful Transfer Of Power', Says Interior Minister As Taliban Fighters Enter Kabul

Reaching out to the residents of Kabul, the Acting Interior Minister assured them that security forces will ensure the security of the city.

(File Photo/ Getty)

Kabul: Amid reports suggesting the Taliban fighters have begun entering Kabul, Acting Afghan Interior Minister Abdul Sattar Mirzakwal has said the country will have “peaceful transfer of power” to a “transitional government”.

Reaching out to the residents of Kabul, the Acting Interior Minister assured them that security forces will ensure the security of the city.

“Acting Interior Minister Abdul Sattar Mirzakwal said Kabul will not be attacked and that the transition will happen peacefully. He assures Kabul residents that security forces will ensure the security of the city, ” Tolonews tweeted.

READ: Taliban Enters Kabul; Says 'They Don't Plan To Take Afghan Capital By Force'

The remarks come amid reports that the Taliban insurgents have seized the last major city outside of Kabul held by the Afghan government.

With reports of the Taliban nearing the capital, the tension in Kabul is rising as the terrorist outfit has already captured other major cities, including Kandahar and Herat.

Three Afghan officials told The Associated Press that the Taliban were in the districts of Kalakan, Qarabagh and Paghman in the capital. The militants later pledged not to take the capital by force as sporadic gunfire could be heard in the capital.

Earlier today, the Taliban announced the capture of Maidan Shahr, the capital of the central Afghan province of Wardak located 40 kilometres west of Kabul. The Taliban claimed that they have gained control of the building of the governor administration, the police headquarters, prison and other public buildings.

It also claimed control over Jalalabad, the capital city of the Nangarhar province and one of the biggest cities in the country.

According to reports, the Taliban now control 90 per cent of Afghanistan. 

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani had earlier in his address to the nation assured to prevent further instability, violence and displacement of people.

The President asserted the remobilisation of the country’s armed forces was a “top priority”.