‘Taliban have won’ — Afghan president says he fled country to ‘avoid bloodshed’

President Ashraf Ghani of Afghanistan says he fled the country to avoid bloodshed, as Taliban fighters entered the presidential palace in the capital city of Kabul.

In a Facebook post on Sunday, Ghani said he believed “countless patriots would be martyred and the city of Kabul would be destroyed”, if he had stayed behind.

“Today, I came across a hard choice; I should stand to face the armed Taliban who wanted to enter the palace or leave the dear country that I dedicated my life to protecting and protecting the past twenty years,” the post reads.

“If there were still countless countrymen martyred and they would face the destruction and destruction of Kabul city, the result would have been a big human disaster in this six million city.

“The Taliban have made it to remove me, they are here to attack all Kabul and the people of Kabul. In order to avoid the bleeding flood, I thought it was best to get out.

“Taliban have won the judgement of sword and guns and now they are responsible for protecting the countrymen’s honor, wealth and self-esteem. Didn’t they win the legitimacy of hearts.

“Never in history has dry power given legitimacy to anyone and won’t give it to them. They are now facing a new historical test; either they will protect the name and honor of Afghanistan or they will prioritize other places and networks.

“Many people and many Aqshar are in fear and are unreliable in the future. It is necessary for Taliban to assure all the people, nations, different sectors, sisters and women of Afghanistan to win the legitimacy and the hearts of the people. Make a clear plan to do and share it with the public.”

He added that he would always continue to serve the nation.

Although Ghani did not disclose his current location, there are reports that he fled to Tajikistan.

Abdullah Abdullah, chairman of the high council for national reconciliation in Afghanistan, had accused Ghani of “leaving the country in a difficult situation”, describing him as the “former president”.

Taliban fighters had earlier, on Sunday, invaded the outskirts of Kabul, demanding transfer of power.