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

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

Staff instructed to bring documents and equipment 'which could be misused in propaganda efforts' to incinerators, other disposal sites

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

Seizure of Herat marks biggest prize yet for Taliban, which has captured 11 provincial capitals in blitz before end of US mission

Biden officials privately expressing surprise over how easily Islamist militia sweeping through several key cities after US spent billions to train and equip country's army

With capture of Badakhshan, Baghlan and Farah capitals, Islamist militia now controls of two-thirds of nation as US and NATO finalize their withdrawal after decades of war

After group captures 7 of 34 provincial capitals, US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad tells insurgents a military takeover of Kabul would guarantee international isolation