Gavin Grey: Afghan President flees Kabul, Taliban declares Islamic Emirate

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge · Aug 15, 2021 · 3m

Afghan officials say embattled President Ashraf Ghani has fled the country as the Taliban moved further into Kabul.

Two officials speaking on condition of anonymity as they weren't authorized to brief journalists told The Associated Press that Ghani flew out of the country. Abdullah Abdullah, the head of the Afghan National Reconciliation Council, later confirmed Ghani had left in an online video.

"He left Afghanistan in a hard time, God hold him accountable," Abdullah said.

Ghani's whereabouts and destination are currently unknown.

Several news outlets are reporting the Taliban have taken…