US President Joe Biden.
United States President Joe Biden said on Tuesday that he would stick to the US-led evacuation from Afghanistan until August 31, according to US media reports. Biden’s statement comes after the Taliban warned the United States and other Western forces earlier today against extending the evacuation deadline, saying it would provoke consequences.
The decision partly reflects the US military’s concern about growing safety threats to the massive airlift that began ten days ago.
A Taliban spokesman, speaking before Biden’s decision, reiterated that the terrorist group would oppose any extension of the time limit. This has allowed the airlift to continue without any major interference.
Biden was under increased pressure to extend his deadline, which he had set before the Taliban completed their takeover of Afghanistan on August 15. It is not clear whether the airlift from Kabul’s international airport could reach all US citizens and at-risk Afghans who fear for them. Then it stays.
Biden made his decision after consultation with his national security team, the administration official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss a decision that has yet to be publicly announced. Weighing the risks of keeping forces grounded beyond the deadline, Biden opted to complete the mission by next Tuesday.
Biden asks team to make contingency plans
The official said Biden asked his national security team to create a contingency plan in case a situation arises that requires a slight extension of the deadline.
US officials have repeatedly stressed the risk of continuing the airlift due to threats of violence by the Islamic State group’s Afghanistan ally. Germany’s top military commander, General Eberhard Zorn, said Tuesday that the United States and Germany were particularly concerned about ISIS suicide bombers slipping into crowds.
The US on Tuesday raised its round-the-clock airlift of people evacuated from Afghanistan to its highest level. Biden had considered whether taking into account the continued security threats by extremist groups in the Afghan capital, the Taliban’s resistance to expansion, and the possibility that not all Americans and at-risk Afghan allies should extend their self-determined deadline. can be done. next Tuesday.
America’s European allies as well as US lawmakers, veterans groups and refugee organizations have urged Biden to hold an evacuation as long as necessary to evacuate all foreigners, Afghan allies and others most at risk from the Taliban. continue.
Taliban says ‘no extension’
At a news conference in Kabul, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said on Tuesday that his group would accept “no extension” of the deadline.
Later on Tuesday, the Pentagon’s chief spokesman, John Kirby, said the military would need “at least several days” to fully withdraw its several thousand soldiers and their equipment from Kabul. He said the commanders were still aiming to leave by August 31. He said there was enough time to evacuate all Americans but was less specific about completing the evacuation of all at-risk Afghans.
(With inputs from AP)
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