News sources: Biden remains committed to leaving Kabul by August 31

According to reports, Joe Biden, after consulting with national security advisers, has decided to withdraw from Afghanistan on time. A Taliban spokesman has called the continued withdrawal of foreign forces and their local partners after August 31 non-negotiable.

As the crowding around Kabul airport continues, Taliban militants have intensified their attacks on citizens seeking to emigrate, emphasizing that the evacuation of foreign forces and their local partners must end by August 31, in accordance with the agreement with the United States.

On Tuesday, August 24, Suhail Shaheen and Zabihullah Mujahid, Taliban spokesmen in Doha and Kabul, called the extension of the deadline for foreign forces to evacuate Afghanistan non-negotiable.

In a press conference, Mujahid called the extension of this deadline a violation of the agreements made and at the same time called on Afghan citizens to refrain from visiting Kabul airport from now on.

Taliban concerned about “brain drain”

He says Afghan citizens are no longer allowed to leave the country. The Taliban spokesman accused the US of encouraging Afghan professionals to emigrate.

Mujahid urged Afghan citizens to stay in the country, stressing that Afghanistan needs its doctors, engineers and educated people. He added that the Taliban group intends to reduce congestion around Kabul airport.

The Taliban spokesman warned the thousands of people who flock to the airport every day to leave the country to stay in their homes and go about their daily lives.

Since Sunday, August 15, when the Taliban took control of the Afghan capital with unexpected and surprising speed, the evacuation of foreign citizens and local NATO forces from Kabul has continued at a rapid pace.

Joe Biden's decision

Joe Biden has so far emphasized the completion of the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan by August 31, but given the developments of recent days and the critical situation at Kabul Airport, he did not rule out the possibility of extending this deadline.

The US President had previously said that he would make a decision on Tuesday about a possible postponement of the departure date for foreign citizens and Afghans at risk.

Now, news sources are reporting, citing American officials, that the US President, after consulting with national security advisers, has decided to remain committed to the agreements made with the Taliban regarding the withdrawal of American forces by the end of August.

At the same time, contingency plans are also on the agenda for a short-term delay in the complete withdrawal of American forces.

According to Reuters, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson says that the leaders of the Group of Seven countries are in agreement that the Taliban must guarantee the safety of foreign and Afghan citizens by August 31 and beyond.

At the same time, Suhail Shaheen, a Taliban spokesman in Doha, told Sky News that completing the withdrawal of foreign forces by August 31 is "our red line" and that if the West does not adhere to this timetable, "any option, even a military response," is possible.

According to ISNA, Shaheen continued: "Extending the legal deadline for the withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan means a lack of trust between the two sides. If they seek to extend the occupation, they will provoke a reaction from us."

CIA Director's Secret Trip to Kabul

Apparently, secret negotiations are also underway between the United States and the Taliban on some issues, including the formation of a new government in Afghanistan and how to continue the transfer of citizens from Kabul.

The Washington Post reported on Tuesday that William Burns, director of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), met and negotiated with Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, one of the founders and political deputy of the Taliban leader, on September 1.

Some sources, including the "Toloo News" network, have reported, citing hearsay, that Zalmay Khalilzad, the US special representative for Afghanistan and the chief American negotiator with the Taliban, was also present at the meeting.

So far, the news of the CIA director's visit to Kabul has not been officially confirmed, and there is no reliable information about the purpose of this trip and its possible results.

Over the past week, about 22,000 people have been evacuated from Kabul, but thousands more are still waiting to leave, and the possibility of their evacuation in the remaining days until the end of August is very small.

Since the Taliban took control of Kabul, control inside Kabul airport has been largely in the hands of American troops. The United States has deployed more than 5,000 additional troops to Afghanistan to secure air traffic at Kabul airport and transport foreigners and Afghan citizens at risk.

Removing these forces and their equipment is another major problem. Yesterday, a military clash occurred in front of the northern entrance to Kabul airport, which also involved American and German soldiers.

The details of the conflict have not yet been clarified, but this incident, the increased tensions around the airport, and the Taliban's decision to prevent Afghan citizens from reaching the airport have made the situation more tense and complicated.

Source: DW