Will remobilise security forces, prevent further bloodshed: Ghani in national address

Kabul : President Ashraf Ghani in an address to his embattled country on Saturday said he will focus on preventing further instability, violence and displacement, and vowed to prevent further bloodshed, even as the Taliban inched closer to the Afghan capital.

In a pre-recorded televised address, Ghani also said that mobilization of the security forces is a priority and “serious actions are under consideration”.

He said he has started “widespread consultations within and outside the government” and would “soon share the results with the people”.

Ghani said mobilization of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) is his top priority and that the necessary measures are underway towards this end, but he vowed to prevent further bloodshed in the country, Tolo News reported.

Ghani thanked the Afghan forces for their bravery in defending the country and said he will “not allow the imposed war to bring more devastation and death to the people”.

“Under the current situation, remobilization of the security and defense forces is our top priority and required measures are underway for this purpose,” Ghani said.

“I know that you are concerned about your present and future but I assure you as your president that my focus is to prevent further instability, violence and displacement of my people,” Ghani added.

“To do this, I have started widespread consultations within and outside the government, with political leaders and international partners and I will soon share the results with the people.”

He said he will not allow the “imposed conflict” by the Taliban to lead to the killing of innocent people, and the loss of the gains of the past 20 years, and the destruction of public infrastructure and the prolonged instability.

His address comes as the Taliban seized more cities on Saturday as they advanced closer to Kabul.

The Taliban on Saturday seized Logar province, just south of Kabul, and launched a multi-pronged assault on Mazar-e-Sharif, a major city in the north.

Since they began their onslaught a few weeks ago, the Taliban have captured much of northern, western and southern Afghanistan.

The US has sent troops to evacuate its nationals from Kabul, and other countries are moving to evacuate their personnel from their missions.