A U.S. Chinook helicopter flew near Kabul's U.S. Embassy on Sunday, August 15, 2021. As the Taliban advance on Afghanistan's capital, helicopters land at the U.S. Embassy of Kabul to take out diplomatic vehicles. AP Photo/Rahmat gul
Officials from the US Embassy are being evacuated.
Officials destroyed sensitive documents and smoke could be seen rising from its roof.
Fear gripping the city has locals lining up in front of visa offices and banks.
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As Taliban militants stormed Kabul early Sunday, the US began to evacuate diplomats and staff from its Embassy in Kabul.
"We have a small group of people who are leaving as we speak. According to Reuters, the majority of staff is ready to go," a US official said. "The embassy continues its operations."
Photographs of helicopters leaving the compound of the embassy were taken. Two US military officers told the Associated Press that smoke could have been seen rising from the roof as officials destroyed sensitive documents.
Biden's administration has sent 5,000 additional troops to assist with the evacuation operation. Embassy officials were taken to Kabul airport and seen board military planes.
CNN was informed by a US official that the US Embassy would continue to operate from Kabul Airport with a limited staff.
Biden dismissed the possibility of the Taliban retaking control of Afghanistan just weeks ago. The White House appears to be taken by surprise at the collapse of Afghan security forces. The 20th anniversary of 9/11 was September 11th, which was the original date for US forces to withdraw from Afghanistan.
Reuters reported that Taliban militants began entering the city from "all sides", early Sunday. Doha Taliban leader told Reuters that the fighters were instructed not to inflict violence on the city and to allow those who want to flee the city to do so.
The Taliban stated in a statement that it had given instructions to fighters to stay at the city's gates while the transition to a new government occurs.
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Farzana Kochai (an Afghan MP) stated to the BBC that there was no escape route and all flights out of Afghanistan were full.
"I don’t know what to say, they can’t go anywhere, there’s no place left. Kochai said that the aircraft might be full, and there may not be any flights out of Kabul today. He checked with friends who were going to Kabul.
As fear of the Taliban advances, photos on social media show people lining up in front of banks and visa offices as well as foreign embassies.
The office of Afghan President Ashraf Gohani stated via Twitter that the situation is under control.
The post stated that there have been "sporadic shootings" in Kabul. However, Kabul was not attacked. Security and defense forces of the country are working with international partners to secure Kabul.
Ghani is being increasingly pressured to resign as he has effectively lost control over the country.
Taliban militants seized Jalalabad, the provincial capital. Kabul was the only city that is still under government control. They quickly advanced on Kabul's outskirts early Sunday.
The militant group has seized control of large swathes of Afghanistan, retaking it in a lightning strike since the US had evacuated the majority of its military forces in July. The advance has caused the collapse of Afghan security forces and thousands fled to Kabul in an attempt to flee the militant group.
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