The Taliban on Thursday announced the creation of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, four days after ousting the previous government in their 10-day lightning sweep.
Taliban Spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid, in a tweet, announced the group had decided to establish the Islamic Emirate on the occasion of Afghanistan’s 102nd anniversary of independence from British rule.
Afghanistan may be governed by a ruling council now that the Taliban has taken over, while the movement’s supreme leader, Haibatullah Akhundzada, would likely remain in overall charge, a senior member of the group had told Reuters earlier.
The Taliban would also reach out to former pilots and soldiers from the Afghan armed forces to join its ranks, Waheedullah Hashimi, who has access to the group’s decision-making, added in an interview.