Admits Taliban Victory, Afghan President: Now They Are Responsible

JAKARTA - Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said he said the Taliban had won the battle, as the insurgents entered Kabul after nearly 20 years of being ousted from power.

This statement was issued by President Ghani after he fled the country, as the Taliban succeeded in capturing the presidential palace and sealing a national military victory in just ten days, after the US-led international coalition forces decided to leave the country.

"The Taliban have triumphed at the judgment of their swords and weapons, and are now responsible for the honor, property and self-defense of their citizens," Ghani said in a statement posted to Facebook, his first since fleeing, citing CNA Sunday 15 August.

"They are now facing a new historical test. Either they will defend Afghanistan's name and honor or they will prioritize other places and networks," he added, saying he was leaving to prevent a "flood of bloodshed".

President Ghani did not say where he went, but Afghanistan's leading media group, Tolo News, said he went to Tajikistan.

Separately, a Taliban spokesman confirmed they had entered the Afghan capital, Kabul, to ensure safety. Three senior Taliban sources also told AFP their fighters had seized control of the presidential palace and held a security meeting in the capital.

Meanwhile, fighters inside the palace said they had "won", in footage aired on Al-Jazeera.

"The former president of Afghanistan has left the country, leaving the people in this situation," Abdullah Abdullah, who leads the peace process, said in a video on his Facebook page.

Ghani's resignation from office was one of the main demands of the Taliban in months of peace talks with the government, but he has stubbornly clung to power.

However, the Taliban have said they want a peaceful transfer of power in the next few days.

To note, there are fears of a security vacuum in Kabul as thousands of police and other members of the armed forces have abandoned their posts, uniforms and even weapons.

Like most of the other captured cities, the power struggle took place after government troops surrendered or withdrew. In Kabul, many residents have resigned themselves to the Taliban taking power.

"My only hope is that their return will bring peace. That's all we want," said Kabul shopkeeper Tariq Nezami.