Changes in Afghanistan
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The threat of terrorist attacks at Kabul airport is increasing daily, the Nato chief warned, as he described the “difficulties” the nations are facing in choosing time to end foreign military efforts to evacuate people from Afghanistan.
Speaking a day after US President Joe Biden decided to follow his plan to withdraw US troops at the end of the month despite European opposition opponents Jens Stoltenberg, Nato’s secretary general, said the terrorist threat at the airport was not a “mere accident”. .
“On the one hand we want to have as much time as possible to produce as many people as possible,” Stoltenberg said in an interview. “Immediately… If we live beyond [the] 31 August [deadline], especially if we do not have the permission of the Taliban, the risk increases [of] attack. ”
Stoltenberg described the past efforts as one of the greatest rescue efforts in history, adding that about 20,000 people a day are being evacuated from the country, including the growing number of Afghans. When the war is over, Nato will continue to work to evacuate people through the air force, and urge the Taliban to also open roads, ”he said.
The biggest challenge Nato members faced was getting people to the airport, instead of flying, he said. “Even if we decide to expand, then we still need to get people to the airport, and the area around the airport, Kabul and the rest of the country is controlled by the Taliban.”
Brigadier Dan Blanchford, who is leading a UK evacuation mission at Kabul airport, told reporters that British troops were “increasing” their efforts to identify those most at risk and bring them to the airport as the August 31 deadline approaches. Blanchford said the survivors “encountered other difficulties and dangers” on the way to the airport.
British troops have also imposed sanctions on their refugee camps, but the threat of an Isis-K alliance – an Isis alliance in Afghanistan sees a major catastrophe in Kabul – remained “extremely”, the UK militant said, adding that the group’s counterparts explode. suicide bombers, car bombs and small arms firearms.
More than 82,300 people have been evacuated since August 14 from Afghanistan, according to the White House, all led by the presence of US troops. The UK deported 10,291 people, including 6,308 Afghan friends, 341 embassy staff, and 2,570 British nationals and their families. As many as 2,000 Afghan migrants to be deported to the UK, including translators, drivers and others who have worked with the British military, are still waiting to be released, said a UK military official.
The idea of a US withdrawal from Afghanistan altogether has raised some questions about the future of the Nato alliance and greater reliance on the US. But Stoltenberg stressed that the “transatlantic bond” remained essential for a reliable defense in Europe.
The European Union alone cannot protect Europe, he said, pointing to a significant portion of Nato’s foreign exchange reserves and the importance of non-EU countries in protecting the region.
“Everything that is happening in Afghanistan, North America and Europe must stand together, and this is a clear message from all Nato countries at a foreign cabinet meeting last week,” he said.
“We are experiencing a global shift in power, a brutal Russia and a rise in China. And as long as North America and Europe unite we can tackle all these challenges,” he said. “This is important in Europe but also important in the United States.”