Afghan president appeals for help as Taliban close in on capital
By Celine Castronuovo - 08/14/21 07:49 AM EDT
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani is calling on the international community to aid in the country’s fight against the Taliban, which has closed in on Kabul as fears grow that the capital could soon be overrun by the insurgent group.
The U.S.-backed leader said in a televised address Saturday, his first public appearance in days as the Taliban has made significant territorial gains, that he has spoken with world leaders and local political figures, though he did not provide specific details on the conversations, according to Bloomberg.
Ghani said he wished to “stop the civil war imposed on Afghans and prevent more innocent deaths and the loss of 20 years of achievements,” since U.S. troops first arrived in Afghanistan to topple the Taliban in 2001.
“We have started consultations, inside the government with elders and political leaders, representatives of different levels of the community as well as our international allies,” he said, according to The Associated Press.
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https://thehill.com/policy/international/567855-afghanistan-president-appeals-for-help-as-taliban-close-in-on-capital