*immediately changes pronouns* “they said they were looking for a male, I’m they/their. Nope not me!”
Numerous people reporting that the Taliban is surrounding Kabul and has cut power to the city. CNN reporting the city may fall in the next 72 hours. Canada and US have sent transports to evacuate personnel. NY Times reports that US is asking Taliban to not harm our embassy.
Wow, all the great work the Bush administration did certainly paid off. They’ll have nukes once they take Pakistan. Told you guys before it was the scariest country in the world.
Anybody want to place any bets on who will be next to bring "peace" to the region? China? Russia part II: Electric Boogaloo? The UN?
I've seen some reports stating that China will recognize a Taliban government. As of right now, Taliban is in control of 70% of the country. They have captured plenty of military assets including helicopters. In Kandahar they are executing surrendered soldiers and are reportedly executing civilians, plenty of pictures of bodies in the streets. In Kabul apparently many gov't officials are trying to evacuate through the airport.
They're saying the Kabul embassy evacuation will be in 36 hours. I'm thinking they don't have 36 hours, across the country defending troops are surrendering and running away en masse. Also from 2 minutes ago: EDIT: Case in point that they may not have 36 hours: "the #Taliban have captured Mehtarlam, capital of #Laghman province. Fighting reportedly lasted 15-20mins."
GREEEEEEEAT. I think I know which country is about to be the next victim - I mean "recipient" of China's Belt and Road initiative...
I can think of no better place for their military ambition to go.... Also, might be a "roach motel" strategy for their own Muslim probem....
The administration is hoping to play that angle: And as far as those who helped us....it's disgraceful the fate we are leaving them to. Straight out of the middle ages torture and humiliation. Not to mention what will happen to the women and girls who had a brief glimpse of what its like to be seen and treated as a human being.
Why would people post such an obvious photoshop when the real headline is exactly the same and uses the correct font? Is it a trap, or some weird reverse psychology? Anyway, us needing to ask the Taliban to pretty please don't attack our embassy is unconscionable. Those troops we just sent should have no orders EXCEPT "blow the living fuck out of anybody who gets near until the evac is done".
Nothing verified yet, but lots of people claiming that Jalalabad has been surrendered without a fight.
Things are moving quickly. Biden has upped the US deployment to 5000. ABC freelance journalist reporting Taliban has captured a few security posts in the Paghman district of Kabul. Fierce fire-fighting is being reported. US embassy staff not already at the airport are being warned to approach Afghan military or police at their own risk.
This whole thing is a fucking disaster. Was there a better way to do this or would it have been a total shit sandwich no matter what?
Especially since the attack is already under way. Lots of reports of USAF strikes against Taliban columns. Kabul itself is in darkness except for tracer rounds and artillery. there appears to be heavy resistance. Taliban is just a couple of km from the airport, the only way in or out.