Taliban show off captured US weapons
From CNN’s Tim Lister
The Taliban have published a series of photographs of their fighters at an Independence Day parade brandishing US assault weapons.
The parade took place in the city of Qalat, the capital of Zabul province, on Thursday.
The photographs show a Taliban unit carrying M4 carbines, which were supplied by the US to Afghan forces in recent years.
A similar parade was held in Kandahar in the south.
In seizing military bases across Afghanistan, the Taliban captured huge stocks of weapons and vehicles, including modern mine-resistant vehicles (MRAPs) and Humvees.
In recent days, Taliban fighters have also been seen patrolling with US M16 rifles.
26 min ago
Tents needed for thousands of Afghans standing in the blazing sun for hours at Kabul airport
From CNN's Clarissa Ward
CNN Chief International Correspondent Clarissa Ward is on the ground in Kabul airport where Afghans continue to wait patiently in hope of an imminent escape.
She says tents are needed for the thousands of Afghans standing out in the blazing sun for hours at Kabul airport. Mothers of children are particularly struggling in the sweltering heat, continuing to line up in their droves throughout the airfield, Ward reported.
CNN has met people at the airport who have been waiting there for two days. And those waiting must navigate risks at every turn, be it the violent screening of the Taliban forces at the first perimeter or the crushes of people trying to push through.
One British soldier who has completed two tours in Helmand told CNN that the trauma of this experience in Kabul far outweighs that of his previous tours.
37 min ago
White House says administration doesn't have precise number of American's still in Afghanistan
From CNN's Allie Malloy
White House communications director Kate Bedingfield told CNN’s Briana Keilar that the White House does not have a precise number of Americans who are still in Afghanistan.
She said the administration is still trying to account for Americans who may have left the country prior to Aug. 14 without notifying the US embassy.
Bedingfield was short on answers when repeatedly pressed by Keilar on what concrete steps the administration was taking to reduce the chaos, referring logistics questions to the Defense Department.
https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/afghanist...index.html
