A Taliban spokesperson, addressing the group’s first media conference, said that Afghanistan has been emancipated and the Taliban seek no revenge, reports The Associated Press. The Taliban spokesperson said that “everyone is forgiven”. 

The Taliban took over Afghanistan by ousting the US-backed civilian administration on Sunday. 

Addressing fears about a potential crackdown on women’s rights, the Taliban spokesman said that women’s rights will be honored under Islamic law. Taliban’s rule of Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001 saw severe repression of civil liberties, especially women’s rights.

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The Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, further said the Taliban wanted private media to “remain independent,” but stressed journalists “should not work against national values.”

Meanwhile, the Russian ambassador to Afghanistan said he had a “constructive” and “positive” meeting with Taliban representatives in Kabul to discuss security for the Russian diplomatic mission, The Associated Press reports.

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Earlier in the day, in its first official communication since taking over power in Afghanistan, the Taliban said that it offers amnesty to all in the country and asked government officials to get back to work.

News agency AFP reported that Taliban had also offered a general amnesty. “A general amnesty has been declared for all… so you should start your routine life with full confidence,” said a statement from the Taliban, according to the agency.

Discussing the government of Afghanistan, Enamullah Samangani, a member of the Taliban’s cultural commission, said that the structure of the government is not clear yet but, based on experience, there should be full Islamic leadership and all sides should join. 

On Monday, thousands of Afghans rushed into Kabul’s main airport, clambering on planes and aero bridges in a desperate attempt to leave the country. The airport operations had to be suspended after the melee, but were resumed on Tuesday with US planes landing and taking off to carry out evacuations. India also flew an IAF plane to bring back its envoy and other embassy staff. 

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Emboldened by US’ decision to withdraw all troops by September 11, the Taliban set out on a quest to conquer Afghanistan again. The ultra-conservative militant group advanced rapidly and took over Kabul within a month. Ashraf Ghani, the president of the civilian administration, resigned and fled the country as the Taliban approached Kabul. 

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The Afghan army, which was built and trained over two-decades at the cost of $83 billion, fell like ninepins — in some cases without a shot fired. The Taliban grabbed not only political power but also US-supplied firepower — guns, ammunition, helicopters and more.