Kabul residents react as the Taliban approach Kabul

The Taliban on Saturday captured a large, heavily defended city in northern Afghanistan in a major setback for the government, and were approaching the capital of Kabul.

Tens of thousands of Afghans have fled their homes, with many fearing a return to the Taliban’s oppressive rule.

British broadcaster Sky News spoke to a resident living in the Afghan capital, who told them he just "wanted peace."

"People worried about how the way Taliban treated us before and now it's a little different," said Abdulwahab.

The group had previously governed Afghanistan under a harsh version of Islamic law in which women were forbidden to work or attend school, and could not leave their homes without a male relative accompanying them.

Miriam, who also lives in Kabul, told Sky News that she is not afraid of the Taliban, saying: "What should I be scared of? This is my homeland, my land."

The withdrawal of foreign troops and the swift collapse of Afghanistan's own forces - despite hundreds of billions of dollars in U.S. aid over the years - has raised fears the Taliban could return to power or that the country could be shattered by factional fighting.

Afghans have been streaming into Kabul's international airport in recent days, desperate to fly out, even as more American troops have arrived to help partially evacuate the U.S. Embassy.

U.S. President Joe Biden has authorised an additional 1,000 U.S. troops for deployment to Afghanistan, according to a statement from a defence official.

U.S. troops will also help in the evacuation of Afghans who worked with the military during the nearly two-decade war.

The first Marines arrived Friday.

The rest are expected by Sunday, and their deployment has raised questions about whether the administration will meet its August 31 withdrawal deadline.

The U.S. Air Force has carried out several airstrikes to aid its Afghan allies on the ground but they appear to have done little to stem the Taliban's advance.