Militants are not known to have pilots or technical personnel needed to fly aircraft; Russian choppers also seen in footage; not clear if any of the helicopters are airworthy

Helicopters land at US Embassy; group has swept through the country, regaining control of wide swaths within days; American officials burn sensitive documents

Islamist insurgents now holding all the cards in any negotiated surrender of the capital Kabul

Last-minute decision reflects dire state of country's security as Taliban seizes control of multiple cities in a few short days

In recorded message, Ashraf Ghani says consultations taking place to try to stop the fighting; insurgents camped some 30 miles from the capital

US president said a month ago that the now-unfolding situation would be 'highly unlikely'; 3,000 troops rushed back to evacuate embassy staff and Afghans who worked with Americans

Majority of the UK's military casualties during Afghan war occurred in Helmand province, now confirmed captured by insurgents

US and Britain deploying thousands of troops to evacuate their citizens from capital as insurgents conquer more and more cities

Nation appears close to coming under a complete resurrection of the Islamic emirate that ruled from 1996-2001 after overwhelming government forces

Thousands of Afghans flee as insurgents press lightning offensive that is encircling Kabul; capital of Helmand province falls; Kandahar and Herat also taken