“Taliban” Spokesperson: Interim Government Is No Option
The Spokesperson for the "Taliban" Movement Zabihullah Mujahid says that "the Movement rejects an interim government," explaining that the "Taliban" decision to enter Kabul has not been decisively made yet.
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“Taliban” Spokesperson: US raids targeted civilian facilities
Today, Monday, the “Taliban” Spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said that “the Movement does not accept an interim government”.
When asked how the “Taliban” viewed the US proposal to form an interim government with the participation of the movement’s representatives, Mujahid said, “So far this question has not been raised. But in general, we do not accept an interim government. Our demand is a fundamental solution, and it must be found. Forming an interim government is not our plan.”
Afghan government lost control in Mazar-i-Sharif.
Mujahid confirmed that the city of Mazar-i-Sharif will soon fall, given the Movement's control over most of the city, noting that the situation is now out of the Afghan government’s control.
Mujahid said, “Indeed, there are ongoing battles in Mazar-i-Sharif city, and our forces have seized control of most of the city. The situation is no longer under the Afghan government's control, not only in this city, but in several other locations as well. Our forces are advancing relatively quickly, and Mazar-i-Sharif will soon fall into our hands. We are also advancing toward the other remaining cities."
All eyes on Kabul… and the US targets civilian facilities
The Spokesperson explained that the Taliban decision to enter Kabul has not been decisively made yet, pointing out that "the districts around the capital must be cleared first."
He also said that "the recent US raids caused extensive damage because they mainly targeted civilian areas such as hospitals, shops, mosques, and schools in order to spread fear. In fact, they only attacked civilian targets," adding that "Calm is returning to the cities.”
Regarding security and transportation in the cities the “Taliban” has so far occupied, he said, “Cities have returned to normal in the provinces of Jowzjan, Sar-e Pul, Takhar, Kunduz, and Nimroz. The situation is normal, people live in peace, there is normal traffic in the cities, people have opened their stores, and no one is facing any problems."
It should be pointed out that the Afghan arena is currently witnessing fierce battles between the government and the "Taliban" Movement, which announced its control over large areas in the country, and yesterday, it announced its control over the capitals of 5 Afghan provinces.
It is worth noting that the US Central Command said on August 3 that "the United States has handed over 7 of its centers in Afghanistan to the Afghan Ministry of Defense, estimating that it has completed more than 95% of the withdrawal process."
