Afghanistan: Taliban urges religious leaders to assure citizens of their safety & security

The Taliban has taken over almost entire Afghanistan now that the US forces have withdrawn. On Tuesday, the spokesman of the Taliban, Zabihullah Mujahid, urged the religious leaders of Afghanistan's capital, Kabul, to assure people of their security and safety following the militant group's takeover of the country.

Addressing a conference of Muslim clerics, he said, "We in Kabul witness anxiety, people still have concerns from different sides, those that worked with the previous government could be followed, we are following the declaration, our elders have declared amnesty, but we see concerns exist, (and) we want religious clerics to help the Islamic Emirate in soothing (these concerns) and assure people that the future government will be everyone's."

He added, "While withdrawing, Americans want to harm our people even at this time, urging people to move to the U.S. and other countries and sending airplanes for them to the airport, but there are no facilities for them abroad, we know this. These people (those leaving the country) are pitiable, we have repeatedly announced that they should not fear, nobody will harm them, they should return to their homes, be assured, (and) the religious clerics should fulfil their role in delivering this message."

Accusing the US

He accused the United States and other NATO countries of undermining their rule by organising evacuation flights and offering Afghans asylum. "There are no facilities for them abroad, we know this," the spokesman said.

Mujahid said government employees can return to work soon and everybody will be safe under the terms of a general amnesty announced by the Taliban.