US Speeds up Afghan Evacuations as G7 Convenes to Discuss Deadline, Taliban Recognition

By Staff, Agencies

More than a week after the Taliban's lightning capture of Kabul, American troops are still pushing ahead with an ill-prepared military pullout and a poorly-handled evacuation plan, just as the Taliban warned against prolonging the withdrawal beyond the August 31 deadline.

While the US is weighing its options as to whether or not to stay in Afghanistan beyond the deadline to oversee the evacuations Logistic convoy belonging to US occupation forces targeted in double blast in Babil, southern Iraqi capital

"If the US or the UK were to seek additional time to continue evacuations -- the answer is no... there would be consequences," Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen told Sky News on Monday, adding that any foreign military presence beyond the agreed deadline would be "extending occupation."

The Taliban took the Afghan capital, Kabul, on August 15 shortly after sitting Afghan president, Ashraf Ghani, fled the country.

The unfolding events have given rise to an immensely chaotic situation in and around the Kabul airport, with thousands of Afghan civilians and foreign nationals flooding the gates of the facility to take flights out of the country.

The confusingly risky situation at the airport was brought under the spotlight on Monday when an Afghan guard was killed and three others wounded in a firefight that involved Afghan security forces and unknown attackers. According to Germany's military, American and German troops were also involved in the firefight.

The White House said some 10,900 people had been airlifted from Kabul during 12 hours on Monday.

An administration official told Reuters on Monday that US President Joe Biden would decide on Tuesday whether to extend the deadline.

The leaders of the United States, Britain, Italy, France, Germany, Canada, and Japan will also discuss whether to recognize or sanction a Taliban government to push the movement to comply with promises to respect women’s rights and international relations at the G7 summit.