Hamas hails end of US occupation of Afghanistan

GAZA CITY, Palestine

Palestinian group Hamas on Monday hailed the departure of US forces from war-torn Afghanistan.

"The end of the occupation by the Americans and their allies proves that victory is the destiny for the resistance of the peoples -- foremost of which is the struggle of our Palestinian people," the group said in a statement.

Hamas wished the Afghan people and their leadership success "in achieving unity, stability and prosperity for Afghanistan and its people" and congratulated them for "defeating the American occupation on all Afghan lands.

The Taliban have taken over Afghanistan after capturing the capital Kabul on Sunday, and are in the process of establishing their government that had been removed after US-led foreign forces occupied the war-torn country in 2001.

*Writing by Mahmoud Barakat in Ankara