Taliban seize control of Afghanistan

The Taliban have seized control of Afghanistan following a series of recent attacks. The Afghan media has reported that they will be given control of Afghanistan today. Al-Arabiya news agency reported that the current Afghan-led president, Ashraf Ghani, will step down in a few hours.

Al-Arabiya news agency reported that talks were currently taking place between Taliban representatives and the government at the Afghan presidential palace.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani is also reportedly in talks with US and NATO representatives.

The Taliban today stormed the main city of Kabul, announcing that it would stop attacking the city in hopes of a peaceful transfer of power.

Following the capture, US envoys in Afghanistan were told by ambassadors to leave the country. CNN reports that Russia, the United States, Britain, Pakistan and Germany are discussing what to do about it. The British Parliament is also scheduled to convene. His Holiness the Pope has also issued a message of peace.

A number of airlines, including Emirates, have announced that they will suspend their flights to Afghanistan. Residents of Kabul are reportedly fleeing the city.