An official from the Afghan Taliban said on Sunday that the group, which took power in Afghanistan, and the withdrawing American forces aim to quickly hand over Kabul Airport. The official, who requested anonymity, told Reuters: "We are waiting for the final signal from the Americans to take full control of Kabul Airport." He added that the group, which captured the capital on August 15 following a rapid advance, has a team of qualified technical experts and engineers ready to manage the airport.
On Friday, the spokesperson for the Taliban's political office (banned in Russia), Naeem Wardak, announced that three major American bases at Kabul Airport have been evacuated. The spokesperson stated in a press conference: "Today, three major military bases at Kabul International Airport have been evacuated by the Americans and are now under the control of the Mujahideen of the Islamic Emirate." The Taliban has expanded its control over most of Afghanistan, as cities fell into their hands within days, taking all border crossings and subsequently entering the presidential palace after President Ashraf Ghani fled to the UAE, along with many government sites in the capital on August 15.
