Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. Taliban's Afghanistan Takeover - a Timeline VOA News The Taliban swept through Afghanistan, taking most of its 34 Afghan provincial capitals in about nine days. The insurgent group reached Kabul early Sunday.'¯'¯ Here is the latest:'¯'¯'¯'¯ August 17 -- The Taliban vow to respect women's rights "within Islamic law" and form an "inclusive Islamic" government. They also announce general "amnesty" and urge people to return to work. August 17'¯--'¯Flights resume Tuesday at Kabul's international airport after crowds Monday forced pause in evacuations of diplomats and civilians. August 17'¯--'¯India evacuates Kabul Embassy, sending 140 personnel on flight home Tuesday. August 16'¯--'¯In a nationally televised speech from the White House,'¯U.S. President Joe Biden says'¯he stands'¯"squarely behind"'¯his decision to withdraw U.S. forces from Afghanistan, adding that'¯"American troops cannot and should not be fighting in a war and dying in a war that Afghan forces are not willing to fight for themselves." August 16'¯-- Thousands of civilians gather'¯at Kabul's'¯international'¯airport,'¯where U.S. soldiers fire'¯warning shots as people'¯seeking'¯to escape'¯the Taliban'¯run across the tarmac. Video from the airport shared on social media show'¯Afghans clinging to the sides of a U.S. military aircraft, while'¯another'¯video shows'¯what appears'¯to be a person falling from a U.S. military plane'¯after takeoff.'¯'¯ August 15'¯-- More than 60 countries call'¯for'¯all parties in Afghanistan to allow any Afghans or foreign nationals to leave the country if they wish to do so.'¯'¯ August 15'¯-- Mullah Abdul Ghani'¯Baradar, a deputy chief'¯and co-founder of the Taliban, says'¯late Sunday,'¯"I am here to announce that we are responsible for your lives and all that'¯pertain'¯to everyday living, and to convince you that we will provide everything to make your lives better." August 15'¯--'¯Top members of the Taliban military commission arrive at the presidential palace in Kabul as Taliban fighters'¯position'¯themselves at key posts in the city.'¯A Taliban'¯spokesman'¯confirms'¯that they'¯have'¯been'¯directed to guard security posts and other installations in Kabul to'¯"prevent chaos and looting after Afghan forces abandoned them." August 15'¯--'¯Afghan President Ashraf Ghani issues'¯a statement confirming'¯that he, along with his vice president and other senior officials,'¯has'¯fled the country'¯"to prevent bloodshed." August 15'¯--'¯U.S. Secretary of State Antony'¯Blinken'¯says'¯the U.S. is evacuating its remaining staff at'¯its'¯embassy in Kabul.'¯'¯ August 15'¯--'¯The Taliban reach Kabul, Afghanistan's capital, saying'¯they are awaiting a peaceful transfer of power. Earlier, they took over Jalalabad, capital of Nangarhar province.'¯'¯ August 15'¯--'¯Taliban spokesman'¯Zabihullah'¯Mujahid says'¯fighters'¯have taken'¯control of Bagram Airfield'¯and the'¯Parwan'¯prison there and freed its inmates. There were'¯about 5,000'¯high-value'¯Taliban prisoners at Bagram, which served as the main base for the U.S.-led foreign military mission in Afghanistan.'¯'¯ August 14 --'¯As Taliban insurgents draw closer to the Afghan capital,'¯U.S. President Joe Biden authorizes another 1,000 troops -- in addition to the 3,000 ordered earlier'¯in the'¯week -- to assist in the evacuation of U.S. personnel and other allies from Kabul.'¯'¯ August 14 --'¯Mazar-e-Sharif, the capital of northern Balkh province, falls to the Taliban after fierce fighting. Taliban'¯spokesman'¯Zabihullah'¯Mujahid announces in a formal statement'¯that'¯they have fully captured the country's fourth-largest city,'¯located'¯on the border with Uzbekistan.'¯'¯ August 14 -- President Ashraf Ghani'¯delivers'¯a televised address, saying rapid consultations are underway to end the fighting, and'¯calls for revitalization of armed forces.'¯'¯ August 14 --'¯The Taliban seize control of'¯Asadabad, capital of eastern province of Kunar, Saturday afternoon.'¯'¯ .