Zabihullah Mujahid

Celebratory gunfire resounded across Kabul on Aug. 31 as Taliban fighters took control of the airport before dawn, following the withdrawal of the last U.S. troops, marking the end of a 20-year war that left the Islamist militia stronger than it was in 2001.

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Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told reporters that the Americans carried out an attack on a suicide bomber while he was driving a vehicle loaded with explosives, without giving other details.

Turkey's foreign minister condemned the "heinous terror attack" in Afghanistan's capital Kabul on Aug. 26. 

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He said that "due to the chaotic situation", the Taliban no longer allow Afghan citizens to go to the airport in Kabul.
"We are working to help, but unfortunately, the Americans are still continuing their policy and trying to get the Afghans out of the country and take them to an uncertain future," Mujahid said.

The Taliban have offered a pledge of reconciliation, vowing no revenge against opponents and to respect women's rights in a "different" rule of Afghanistan from two decades ago.

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The Taliban warned on Aug. 4 of more attacks targeting Afghan government leaders, a day after the defence minister escaped an assassination attempt and as the insurgents fought to take control of a string of besieged cities across the country.

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The Taliban claimed on July 9 to be in control of 85 percent of Afghanistan after seizing key border crossings with Iran and Turkmenistan, part of a sweeping offensive launched as US troops pull out of the war-torn nation.

Afghanistan will release some Taliban prisoners this week as part of confidence building measure crucial for the success of the peace deal signed between America and the Taliban to end nearly two decades of war, officials said on April 1.

The Taliban said it had shot down a U.S. military plane in the central Afghan province of Ghazni on Monday, killing all personnel on board.

A passenger plane crashed in Ghazni province in eastern Afghanistan, the BBC reports.

According to preliminary data, 83 passengers were on board the aircraft. Local government officials confirmed that the plane crashed in Ghazni province, saying the accident happened near the area of Deh Yak.