Striking photos and video show Taliban fighters holding guns inside Afghanistan's presidential palace
The Taliban stormed Kabul on Sunday, setting themselves up to retake Afghanistan after 20 years.
After Afghanistan's president fled, Taliban fighters took over the presidential palace.
Heavily armed fighters were seen inside the palace reciting from the Quran, Islam's holy book.
Al Jazeera on Sunday published photos and videos of Taliban fighters in Afghanistan's presidential palace holding guns and reciting from the Quran, the holy book of Islam, after seizing control.
The Taliban stormed Kabul earlier on Sunday as the Afghan government collapsed, setting the militant group up to retake the country 20 years after US-led forces drove it from power.
The Associated Press also published photos showing fighters gathered around a desk at the palace hours after President Ashraf Ghani fled the country.
On Twitter, Ragıp Soylu, the Turkey bureau chief for Middle East Eye, shared a clip from Al Jazeera that showed the fighters reciting from the Quran in the palace.
-Ragıp Soylu (@ragipsoylu) August 15, 2021
A source in Kabul told The Daily Beast the Taliban fighters were reciting verses that in part translated to: "When the victory of Allah has come and the conquest. And you see the people entering into the religion of Allah in crowds. Then exalt [Him] with praise of your Lord and ask forgiveness of Him. Indeed, He is ever Accepting of repentance."
The Taliban announced on Sunday that they would declare the country the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, solidifying their takeover of the US-backed Afghan government.
While the Taliban have said they want a peaceful transfer of power, the US Embassy suspended its operations in Kabul and warned Americans of a quickly changing security situation.
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