Taliban warn of consequences if US troops miss Aug. 31 deadline
1 dead as firefight erupts amid Kabul airport evacuation
Kabul/London, Aug. 23: A firefight involving Western forces erupted at Kabul airport on Monday when Afghan guards exchanged fire with unidentified gunmen, Germany’s military said. One person was killed.
Amidst the evacuation chaos, the Taliban on Monday warned that there will be “consequences” if the US and UK sought an extension to the August 31 deadline for the US-led troop withdrawal.
Speaking to Sky News in Doha, Qatar, Taliban spokesperson Dr Suhail Shaheen stated that the month-end deadline was a “red line”, as any extension would imply an extended occupation of the country.
“President Biden announced that on 31 August they would withdraw all their military forces… If the US or UK were to seek additional time to continue evacuations, the answer is no. Or there would be consequences… it will provoke a reaction,” he said. The warning came as British PM Boris Johnson convened an emergency G7 meeting on Tuesday in his role as current chair of the Group of Seven countries — Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the US and the UK. On the agenda for the world leaders is expected to be a push for the US to seek an extension of the August 31 deadline.
Kabul, Aug. 23: The Taliban warned on Monday there would be “consequences” if the United States and its allies extend their presence in Afghanistan beyond next week, as chaos continued to overwhelm Kabul airport with tens of thousands of people still desperate to flee.
To oversee a chaotic airlift of foreigners and Afghans desperate to escape the return of the hardline Islamic regime, thousands of troops have poured back into Afghanistan and pressure is growing on Washington to extend an August 31 withdrawal deadline. But the Taliban Monday showed no willingness to compromise, with spokesman Suhail Shaheen telling Sky News that staying beyond the agreed deadline would be “extending occupation”. “If the US or UK were to seek additional time to continue evacuations -the answer is no... there would be consequences,” he said. Two Taliban sources, meanwhile, told AFP the group would not announce the makeup of its government or cabinet until the last US soldier has left the country. —