Taliban could close Kabul airport if allies delay exit, US def. secy warns

Washington, Aug. 24: An extension to the deadline for pulling out remaining troops from Afghanistan to allow evacuations to continue is “unlikely”, the Defence Secretary has conceded ahead of emergency talks with Joe Biden.

Ben Wallace expressed pessimism on whether the August 31 withdrawal date will be put back as he cited the US President’s reluctance and warnings of repercussions from the Taliban.

Boris Johnson was hosting a virtual G7 summit on Tuesday afternoon during which he was expected to press Mr Biden to keep his troops in the Afghan capital for longer.

But the Taliban, which swept to power last week in the wake of America’s major withdrawal of troops, has suggested that foreign forces remaining past the deadline would cross a “red line” that will “provoke a reaction”.

A spokesman for the group warned on Tuesday that evacuations “will not be allowed” after August 31.

Acknowledging that “we’re not going to get everybody out of the country”, Mr Wallace expressed pessimism about the prospect of the evacuation operation from Kabul airport continuing after August 31.

Wa“I think it is unlikely. Not only because of what the Taliban has said but if you look at the public statements of President Biden I think it is unlikely,” he said. “It is definitely worth us all trying and we will.”

Britain has evacuated 8,600 people from Afghanistan in the past 10 days, including more than 2,000 in the previous 24 hours, according to the Defence Secretary. —