Taliban take control of Afghanistan
The Taliban capture the afghan capital Kabul with little armed resistance after Ashraf Ghani flees the country.
Victorious Taliban fighters patrolled Kabul on Monday after a stunningly swift end to Afghanistan's 20-year war.
President Ashraf Ghani fled the country on Sunday night as the insurgents encircled the capital, capping a military victory that saw them capture all cities in just 10 days.
Government forces collapsed without the support of the US military, which invaded in 2001 after the September 11 attacks and toppled the Taliban for its support of Al-Qaeda.
But the United States ultimately failed to build a democratic government capable of withstanding the Taliban, despite spending billions of dollars and providing two decades of military support.
After police and other government forces gave up their posts in Kabul on Sunday, Taliban fighters took over checkpoints across the city and entered the presidential palace.
The Taliban have sought to reassure the international community that Afghans should not fear them, and they will not take revenge against those who supported the US-backed alliance.
The Taliban's capture of the capital did not lead to the bloodshed that many had feared. However, thousands of residents have filled the airport as they push their way on to planes in an effort to flee the country.
The US and other western governments urged the Taliban to “respect and facilitate the safe and orderly departure of foreign nationals who wish to leave”.
Taliban fighters took control of the empty presidential palace and abandoned police posts in the capital without a struggle on Sunday.
