Dmitry Zhirnov, Russia’s ambassador to Afghanistan, said on August 18th that the Taliban had passed their first test since taking power: he had “not heard gunfire for three days in a row” in Kabul for the first time, Tass news agency reported.
“They have passed the first exam, which is related to their initial situation in Kabul and the security situation in Kabul,” Zirnov said in an interview the same day. He stressed that for the first time since his arrival in Kabul in May 2020, he had “not heard gunfire for three days in a row”. “When President Ghani was here, there were four to five bombings a day, including terrorist attacks, mine explosions, etc. But since the Taliban arrived, it has been quiet since the first night. ”
Mr Zirnov said the city had “completely turned into a madhouse” after Afghan President Asif Ghani fled Kabul on August 15, with a number of robberies and riots on the streets. However, when the Taliban took control of Kabul, it all ended that evening.
However, Mr Zirnov also warned against making rash conclusions about the Taliban’s changes: “If they prove to the people that they have guaranteed order and social justice, they will pass the second test.” ”
It was also reported that on August 19, local time, Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid issued a statement on the social networking site, on the occasion of the 102nd anniversary of Afghanistan’s independence from British rule, the Taliban announced the establishment of the “Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.”
