Afghan President Ashraf Ghani is in UAE after fleeing Afghanistan

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, who fled his country as his capital Kabul was being invaded by Taliban fighters, is now in the United Arab Emirates, the government of the United Arab Emirates has confirmed. .

“The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation can confirm that the UAE has welcomed President Ashraf Ghani and his family to the country on humanitarian grounds,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Wednesday evening, local time.

Ghani left Afghanistan on Sunday evening with no announcement or clear report on where he was going. As the Taliban entered the presidential palace and declared the war “over”, Ghani said he had fled to avoid “a flood of blood”.

“The Taliban have won with the judgment of their swords and guns, and are now responsible for the honor, property and self-preservation of their compatriots,” Ghani said.

Taliban forces have made a series of astonishing advances across the country of 39 million people following the Biden administration’s announcement of the complete withdrawal of US forces by the end of August.

After 20 years of war, and the American training and equipping of the Afghan army, the Taliban were able to declare complete control of the country within 10 days of taking their first provincial capital.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.