Afghan President Ashraf Ghani stated in a speech to the nation on Saturday that "consultations" within the government and with international partners have begun to find a swift political solution that ensures "peace and stability" in Afghanistan. He simultaneously called for the re-mobilization of the armed forces, stating that re-mobilizing the army is a top priority. Ghani remarked that the "consultations have started" and are "advancing rapidly" to stop the war within the government with political officials and international partners to secure "a political solution that guarantees peace and stability for the Afghan people," noting that "the re-mobilization of our security and defense forces is our first priority."
On Saturday, the Taliban announced they had begun fighting to enter the city of Mazar-i-Sharif, the capital of Balkh province, while sources from the Afghan government forces reported the killing of 19 Taliban fighters and the wounding of 6 others in security operations conducted by Afghan security forces in the Shulgara area of Balkh province. The Taliban continues to advance toward the capital Kabul, with Afghan provinces falling one after another, some without a fight, as the group has gained control over 14 of Afghanistan's 34 provincial capitals since August 6. An Afghan lawmaker reported that the Taliban seized Logar province, south of the capital.
The U.S. Embassy in Kabul has instructed its personnel to destroy sensitive documents and American symbols that could be used by the Taliban for propaganda purposes as the insurgents approach the Afghan capital. Concurrently, the initial waves of U.S. forces began arriving at Kabul Airport. Sen. Mitch McConnell, the Republican minority leader in the Senate, stated on Friday that it is not too late to prevent the Taliban from taking over Kabul, urging President Joe Biden's administration to halt the Taliban's advance through airstrikes and to support Afghan forces defending the capital. McConnell made this statement after speaking with the Afghan ambassador to Washington, Adila Raz. The speed of the Taliban's offensive has raised criticism of President Biden's decision to withdraw U.S. forces.
