Thread by @JacquiHeinrich

THREAD: From National Security Correspondent @JenGriffinFNC, via a well-placed source who spoke to Afghans at Presidential palace after Kabul fell to Taliban. Her source tells her:

1) “This happened so fast. None of us factored in the moral blow the US withdrawal would have on the Afghan National Army.”
@JenGriffinFNC

2) The fall of the district capitals had a “domino effect.” People started cutting local deals with the Taliban.
“The Taliban had planned this really well. Not a force coming through the country that could be stopped. They were already there” in the provinces.
@JenGriffinFNC

3) “They had financial support coming from Pakistan,” this source said.
@JenGriffinFNC

4) There were divisions in the palace the night that Ghani decided to leave. Some were negotiating with the Taliban in Qatar. They were trying to prevent bloodshed, to negotiate a deal and safe passage to avoid bloodshed in the streets. @JenGriffinFNC

5) The goal was to negotiate a semi inclusive gov't & allow for a peaceful take over.

Then Taliban were in the city and panic began to spread through Kabul.
The US did not help with evacuation of President Ghani.
Decision was made in a matter of minutes to leave. @JenGriffinFNC

6) “There should have been a plan for evacuations. No one expected things to move this fast, even the Taliban.”
“It could have gone a lot worse. No bloodbath in Kabul. Would have been fighting in the streets (if Ghani had stayed.”
@JenGriffinFNC

7) Dr Abdullah Abdullah (opposition leader) and former President Karzai went to Qatar to meet with the Taliban.
Taliban encouraging people to go back to work. They have to run the government.

“Taliban are not ready to govern. Will need help.”
@JenGriffinFNC

8) They will behave well when the cameras are on them. When no one watching they will begin retribution, this source predicted.

Outside the airport, things are eery and calm, according to witnesses. @JenGriffinFNC

9) Mullah Baradar will likely be the Taliban Emir.

Feeling of betrayal amongst Afghans.
The Biden statement in April that the US would withdraw by Sept 11 was a huge morale blow. “We weren’t ready for that,” the source said. @JenGriffinFNC

10) “When they cut the contractors, troops were not fed for days, created a logistical issue for the Afghan Army and morale blow.”
“It wasn’t a responsible withdrawal process.”
“The decisions about Afghanistan were made on the US political cycle every 4 years.” @JenGriffinFNC

11) “Sympathetic for US military leadership and Gen Miller.” Unanimous criticism of US envoy Zalmai Khalilzad by Afghans. “He really sold us out. Didn’t include the Afghans (in talks w/ the Taliban). He tried to be the dealmaker. No one listened to Afghans.”
@JenGriffinFNC

12) “Afghans feel incredibly betrayed. Americans sold us out to the Taliban.” @JenGriffinFNC