This is an archive article published on August 16, 2021

Afghan president says he left country to avoid bloodshed

In a post on his Facebook page, Ghani said he had faced a difficult decision, with the fate of millions of Kabul residents and the security of the city at stake after 20 years of war in which countless numbers had already been killed.

"To avoid bloodshed, I thought it would be better to leave,"
Ghani said in his first comments since quitting the presidential palace and flying out of the country. (File photo)
 "To avoid bloodshed, I thought it would be better to leave," Ghani said in his first comments since quitting the presidential palace and flying out of the country. (File photo)
2 min readNew DelhiAug 16, 2021 09:44 AM IST First published on: Aug 16, 2021 at 09:40 AM IST

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said on Sunday he had left the country to avoid bloodshed as the Taliban entered the capital Kabul.

In a post on his Facebook page, Ghani said he had faced a difficult decision, with the fate of millions of Kabul residents and the security of the city at stake after 20 years of war in which countless numbers had already been killed. “To avoid bloodshed, I thought it would be better to leave,” he said in his first comments since quitting the presidential palace and flying out of the country.

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He added that the Taliban insurgents, who later entered the presidential palace in Kabul, now faced an historic test. “The Taliban won victory in the judgment of sword and gun and they have responsibility to protect the honour, prosperity and self-respect of our compatriots,” he said.He did not disclose details on his current location.

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