 Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid at the Taliban’s first press conference since takeover of Kabul on August 17, 2021 (Photo: India Today) |
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid declared the war in Afghanistan over and said Islamic forces are taking control of the capital Kabul, as well as the entire territory and borders of Afghanistan. He said the Taliban's primary task now is to stabilize the situation and form a government.
Mujahid made many promises for the future Afghanistan under the leadership of the Taliban, especially pledging to respect women’s rights ‘within framework of Islam’. He called on all government officials to return to their normal work. The Taliban spokesman said the Taliban wishes peaceful relations with other countries and promised that no group will be allowed to use Afghan territory for attacks against any nation. He said the US must withdraw all its troops from Afghanistan by September 11, and gave assurances that the Taliban does not intend to attack any departing American troops.
The United Nations will need to see action before it can believe the Taliban's words, according to UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric. On Tuesday the UN called on all countries not to force any Afghanis to return to Afghanistan. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg called on the Taliban to allow those who want to leave Afghanistan to leave, and said NATO will send planes to Kabul to evacuate them.