TIMELINE TALIBAN’S TAKEOVER OF AFGHANISTAN

- LIGHTNING TAKEOVER -

On Sunday, Taliban fighters appear on the edge of Kabul after a lightning offensive launched in May as US and NATO troops withdraw. In the space of 10 days, they had seized city after city across the country with little or no resistance.

- ‘PEACEFUL TRANSFER’ -

As the Taliban pour into the suburbs, President Ashraf Ghani urges government forces to maintain security in the capital. He flees a few hours later. The Taliban say they want a “peaceful transfer of power.”

- PRESIDENTIAL PALACE -

Television images show the Taliban seizing the presidential palace. In a Facebook post, Ghani says the “Taliban have won” and that he fled to avoid a “flood of bloodshed.”

- AIRPORT CHAOS -

Frightened people besiege Kabul airport, the only exit route from the country. Chaos breaks out on the tarmac, carrying on into Monday as people try to rush aircraft. All military and civilian flights are halted, before resuming in the evening.

- NEW RELATIONS -

China becomes the first country to say it is ready to deepen “friendly and cooperative” relations with the Taliban’s Afghanistan. It later accuses Washington of “leaving an awful mess.”

- BIDEN DEFENDS EXIT -

US President Joe Biden address nation Tuesday, insisting he has no regrets and emphasises that US troops cannot defend a nation whose leaders “gave up and fled.”

- GO BACK TO WORK The

Taliban tell civil servants in Kabul to resume their duties “without any fear.” Some shops reopen and evacuation flights from the city’s airport restart.

- ‘SHAMEFUL’ FOR WEST -

German President Frank-walter Steinmeier says the chaotic scenes at Kabul airport are “shameful for the West.” Chancellor Angela Merkel calls for EU action to take in the most vulnerable.nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg blames Afghan leaders for the “tragedy.” Russia says the Taliban’s initial assurances are a “positive signal.”

- TALIBAN LEADER BACK -

Within hours of Taliban co-founder Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar returning to Afghanistan, the group says it will be “different” this time, that it will pardon its enemies and women will not have to wear the all-enveloping burqa.

- ‘WOMEN CAN WORK’ -

At their first press conference since seizing power, spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid declares they will let “women work in accordance with the principles of Islam.” Girls return to school in Talibanheld Herat.

- ‘MUST TALK’ TO TALIBAN -

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell says the bloc will have to talk to the Taliban, while Canadian premier Justin Trudeau says he will not recognise their government.

- ICC: POSSIBLE VIOLATIONS -

Karim Khan, chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, says reports of crimes during the Taliban advance may amount to violations of international law.