Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani fled the country as the Taliban invaded the capital of Kabul.
What We Know:
- After Ghani left Afghanistan, many wondered where he went. The United Arab Emirates confirmed Ghani and his family traveled to their country via a statement. The country announced the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation could confirm the UAE housed Ghani on humanitarian grounds.
- Ghani defended his decision to leave Afghanistan over the weekend. Ghani said that if he stayed in his position, “countless” countrymen would die. In addition, Kabul would see destruction.
- U.S. News reports that Ghani’s “swift departure” from office illustrates how rapidly the issue escalated in Afghanistan. After President Joe Biden decided to withdraw troops from the country after nearly 20 years, the Taliban seized Afghanistan in a matter of weeks.
- Biden defended his decision in a televised speech on Monday. In his appearance, he placed the blame for the country’s collapse on Ghani; Biden said he held “frank conversations” with Ghani and Afghan High Council for National Reconciliation Abdullah Abdullah earlier this summer. In his meetings with Ghani and Adbdullah, the three spoke about how Afghanistan should prepare in the case of a civil war after the U.S. military departed. Biden also advised them to clean up governmental corruption and unite the country. Pres. Biden additionally told American citizens he urged the Afghan leaders to seek a political settlement with the Taliban, but Ghani ignored the suggestion.
According to Biden, Ghani insisted his country’s military would fight back against the Taliban. “Obviously he was wrong,” said the U.S. President.
