Changes in Afghanistan
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U.S. President Joe Biden should not worry about their intention to expel American troops from Afghanistan by the end of the month to protest international pressure, including those with allies in Europe, to give more time.
Biden’s idea lasts uncertain days towards the end of August 31 at the end of the US military expedition from Afghanistan. This comes despite widespread security concerns around Kabul airport and efforts to deport thousands of foreign and Afghan nationals in the country.
The U.S. president is following in the footsteps of the Pentagon in honor of his resignation, the White House official said. However, Biden asked officials to make plans for what he could accomplish by the deadline.
Biden was pressured by Britain, France and Germany in particular to boost US activity in Afghanistan by August 31, in addition to the G7 summit on Tuesday.
Boris Johnson, the UK’s prime minister who is leading the summit, said G7 leaders had agreed to work together to force the Taliban to leave the country for Afghanistan even after August 31.
“The first condition we are setting up as the G7 is that it should be confirmed through August 31 and beyond, the best way for those who want to get out,” he said.
Johnson stressed that “the part he is leaving here is doing very well with the military” but – along with French President Emmanuel Macron and German chancellor Angela Merkel – he wants more time to move out of Kabul.
Charles Michel, President of the European Council, said several G7 leaders had expressed their concerns on the last day of August 31 at the conference.
The G7 summit came as Taliban blocked the access road to Kabul airport for Afghan people, threatening to disrupt those at risk of Islamic State violence.
Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman, said the group would allow foreigners to pass through the airport but ordered Afghans not to go to the airport due to the unrest and the threat of oppression, urging them to return to work and their homes.
He added that all foreign nationals would have to finish work by August 31. “They [western states] they are lucky, they have a plane, an airport with them and they can transport people by the same day. ”
The Taliban move came after it was revealed that CIA director William Burns had met this week with Taliban Co-founder Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar – the highest meeting between them since the Islamist regime returned to power – according to a man familiar with the meeting. The CIA declined to comment.
Taliban colleague Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, photographed in Russia in March © Alexander Zemlianichenko / AP
Washington has been severely criticized for their departure and the atrocities taking place at the moment. The Taliban seized power 10 days ago following a nationwide lightning strike following the collapse of US forces.
Many Afghans fear that the Taliban will target former Western militias, such as translators and operators, as well as journalists and anti-Islamic groups.
Mujahid denied the Taliban’s assertion that it was searching for people linked to the former government, saying the group had announced amnesty. He said hospitals and schools were reopened, and banks were due to reopen on Wednesday.
Afghan people at the airport were not afraid, added Mujahid. “We guarantee their safety.”
Crowds await the arrival of Kabul airport on Monday © Maxar Tech / Reuters
Many of the runners in the air are some of the most educated, who need to run the economy and government.
Western officials have expressed concern that security is at stake as the deadline for August 31 approaches.
“As we approach the deadline, I think it’s fair to say that security risks are rising,” Ben Wallace, UK security secretary, told Sky News. “It’s just as dangerous if extravagance and other terrorist groups like Isis want to be seen taking credit, or want to be seen chasing west of the airport.”
U.S. forces have announced their biggest flight day in Afghanistan on Tuesday, with 37 U.S. planes carrying 12,700 people out of the country in 24 hours. In addition to the flights, 21,600 people were evacuated immediately, the White House said.
Additional reports of Aime Williams and Katrina Manson in Washington