Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —
President Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani promised to prevent further bloodshed. The promise was issued when the guerrillas Taliban approaching the Afghan capital, Kabul.
In his speech, the first since the Taliban launched a major offensive, Ghani said he wanted to end the violence as a historic mission.
“I will not allow a forced war to cause more deaths,” a grim-looking Ghani was quoted as saying AFP, Saturday (14/8).
Ghani gave no indication that he would resign or take responsibility for the military collapse in his country. He only said that the armed forces could be mobilized again. Consultations are also underway to try to help end the war.
One observer in Afghanistan, Sayed Naser Mosawi, said the president seemed to have no choice.
“The president’s message is not definitive enough to say he is willing to fight to the end. But to me, he may be willing to provide some sort of settlement, if not to give up,” he explained.
The Afghan president’s speech came after the United States (US) sent troops to oversee the evacuation of the embassy and thousands of citizens from the country.
Since May, the situation in Afghanistan has been chaotic. The Taliban intensified attacks after US troops and members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) withdrew.
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Illustration. The Taliban have controlled a number of areas in Afghanistan. (AP/Mohammad Asif Khan)- – |
Some of the big cities were captured by the Taliban. The government only controls areas in the central, eastern and capital city of Kabul.
Meanwhile, the Taliban managed to seize the city of Mazhar-i-Sharif on Saturday (14/8) yesterday, through fierce fighting. This success brought the militia group closer to Kabul.
The Taliban have also controlled Herat and Kandahar, the second and third largest cities in Afghanistan. They reportedly occupy 20 of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces.
Finally, the Taliban also managed to take over the main city of eastern Afghanistan, Jalalabad on Sunday (15/8). The takeover even took place without the slightest resistance from the local government.
“Letting the Taliban pass [menguasai] is the only way to save civilians, “said an official in Jalalabad.
The fall of the three cities, made Kabul the last stronghold guarded by the government.
(nsa/asr)
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