A freelance journalist based in Kabul says he feared "doomsday" would happen when the Taliban entered Afghanistan's capital Kabul on Sunday (local time).
However, as the day unfolded, Ali Latifi told Breakfast this did not eventuate.
"Today we went through so many different phases. For much of the morning we thought doomsday was coming. We expected the Taliban to come storming through the city and shooting and firing and killing people, pillaging, all of these things," he said.
It will also try to help dozens of Afghan civilians who worked with NZ defence forces and now fear for their lives. (Source: Other)
"That didn't happen. They actually stuck to their word saying they would stay at the gates ... until the agreement was reached.
"... At least in the area I live in we haven't seen anything negative or difficult or bad at this point. But it's so early."
Latifi's comments come after the Taliban have seized nearly all of Afghanistan in just over a week.
Al Jazeera producer Charlotte Bellis says it is quiet in Kabul, apart from the airport. (Source: Other)
Just days ago, an American military assessment estimated it would be a month before the capital would come under insurgent pressure.
However, it has led to many foreign embassies evacuating their citizens.
Latifi told Breakfast Monday "will be a good test" regarding the ongoing situation in Kabul.
The fundamentalist group took control of most of Afghanistan in 1996 after a two-year civil war. (Source: Other)
"The best answers will come in the morning [local time]."
"I hope it stays this way," he said of the current peace.
Afghanistan would find out in the coming days what the Taliban's advance meant for the country, Latifi said.
It sparked panic at Kabul’s international airport where many countries were evacuating their citizens and staff. (Source: Other)
"We have to see how the Taliban act this time."
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