Fall of Kabul

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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The United States has pulled all its troops out of Afghanistan, ending its longest war to cries of shame at home and celebratory gunfire from its victorious Taliban enemies in Kabul.

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According to the AP, the small Arab state is being asked to help shape what lies ahead for Afghanistan because of its ties with both Washington and the Taliban.

Ljubljana/Kabul – The Defence Ministry is striving to get out of Afghanistan the remaining Afghan national of the two who had assisted the Slovenian troops and his family. After a number of attempts to get them safely to Kabul airport, this evacuation route is no longer possible in light of the escalating security situation, but other options are being considered.

A second batch of Turkish troops evacuated from the Afghan capital Kabul landed home in the Turkish capital on Aug. 27. 

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The plane carrying Turkish Armed Forces personnel from Afghanistan landed in Ankara at 13.10 p.m. local time (1010GMT).

The refugees fleeing the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan were flown in to Tirana airport on Friday morning, where they received medical check-ups before being sent onwards to the city of Durres.

At least two explosions have been reported near the Abbey Gate, being used for evacuations at Kabul airport.

One blast was near the Baron Hotel, being used as a staging post by Western nations for evacuations.

Victims including children, were killed in an alleged suicide bombing near Kabul airport, Reuters reported, citing a Taliban spokesman.

The fall of Kabul to the Taliban and the chaotic international evacuation effort shows that Europe needs to develop its own military capacity independent of the United States, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell argues.

Western nations involved in the Kabul airlift began pulling out of the effort on Thursday, with a number of them citing the acute threat of a "highly lethal" terrorist attack by Islamic State, possibly within hours.

Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom have told citizens not to approach the airport, and those who are already at and around the airport are advised to leave the area immediately, world media report. The deadline for foreigners to leave Afghanistan is also expiring.