Afghan President Ghani leaves Afghanistan

President Ashraf Ghani has left Afghanistan for Tajikistan as the Taliban Closes in on Kabul, according to the country’s top peace negotiator Abdullah Abdullah.

Ghani’s departure comes amid negotiations for a peaceful transfer of power after Taliban fighters encircled Kabul after capturing 26 of the country’s 34 provincial capitals in less than two weeks.

Two Afghan officials said President Ashraf Ghani has left the country. The officials, one from former President Hamid Karzai's office and another an aide on the Afghan security council, told The Associated Press that Ghani left Sunday. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to brief journalists.

Ghani left along with his National Security Adviser Hamdullah Mohib and a second close associate.

15 August 2021