Taliban fighters gathering weapons from civilians in Kabul: report

Taliban fighters on Monday reportedly began collecting weapons from civilians in Kabul as the insurgent group cements its swift takeover of Afghanistan.

“We understand people kept weapons for personal safety. They can now feel safe. We are not here to harm innocent civilians,” a Taliban official told Reuters.

One Kabul resident, director of the MOBY media group Saad Mohseni, said on social media that Taliban soldiers had come to his company’s compound to enquire about weapons kept by his security team, the news service noted.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fled the country on Sunday as the Taliban closed in on Kabul, saying later that he had done so in order to avoid further bloodshed.

“The Taliban have made it to remove me, they are here to attack all Kabul and the people of Kabul. In order to avoid the bleeding flood, I thought it was best to get out,” Ghani wrote on social media.

“It is necessary for Taliban to assure all the people, nations, different sectors, sisters and women of Afghanistan to win the legitimacy and the hearts of the people,” Ghani added. “Make a clear plan to do and share it with the public. I will always continue to serve my nation with an intellectual moment and a plan to develop.”

At least five people are reported to have been killed at the airport in Kabul as thousands of Afghans seek to flee the country due to fear of Taliban rule.