Special Summit of G7 Leaders on Afghan Refugee Issue

Leaders of the world’s seven major industrialized countries will hold an emergency video conference on Tuesday, August 24 (Ordibehesht 2) to discuss the evacuation of NATO coalition forces’ personnel, civil activists, and human rights advocates from Afghanistan.

Leaders of the G7 industrialized nations plan to consult on Tuesday, August 24 (Ordibehesht 2) in an emergency video conference about their measures to relocate Afghan refugees from Kabul. The G7 comprises the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan. Some critics argue that the scale of the Afghanistan crisis requires the participation of other major countries and Afghanistan’s neighboring states in consultations and coordinated actions.

Trudeau speaks of intensifying sanctions against Taliban

Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, called for greater sanctions against the extremist Taliban Islamists one day before the G7 summit: “We are considering additional sanctions.”

He said the Taliban is recognized in Canada as a terrorist organization, “but we will discuss next steps with our G7 partners.”

Canada began evacuating Afghans from Kabul through flights from last Thursday. The country recently announced it would accept approximately 20,000 Afghan refugees under an immigration program.

Germany: Coordination on refugee transfers and assistance

According to Heiko Maas, Germany’s Foreign Minister, the government is currently in talks with the United States and Turkey about continuing operations at Kabul airport for civilian flights.

Maas said contacts have also been made with the Taliban. The United States has also not yet decided whether it will have a role in managing Kabul airport after August 31.

Germany’s Foreign Minister regarding the emergency summit of the G7 leaders said that it must be clarified and coordinated how long people can be evacuated from Kabul. In addition, discussions must be held on humanitarian assistance for refugees and what approach should be taken against the “wave of migration.”

NATO unwilling to announce end date for evacuations

NATO currently does not wish to specify a date for the end of evacuations from Afghanistan. A NATO spokesman said: “The situation at Kabul airport remains challenging and unpredictable.”

He said that in cooperation with allied forces, Afghan evacuation operations will continue. Currently, dozens of aircraft are leaving Kabul airport daily. More discussions will take place at the G7 leaders’ special video summit on Tuesday regarding the situation in Afghanistan. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg will also participate in this meeting.

In the current situation, the United States intends to withdraw all its military forces from Afghanistan by the end of this month, August 31. This means that the relocation of foreign nationals and at-risk Afghans must likely be completed by the end of this week.

US President Joe Biden announced that the United States government is negotiating with the military about extending the evacuation mission beyond the end of August.

United States establishes temporary housing in Germany

Approximately four thousand people evacuated by the United States from Afghanistan will temporarily be stationed at US bases in Germany in the states of Bavaria and Rhineland-Palatinate.

A spokesman for the US Army in Europe confirmed to the German news agency that preparations have been made at the “Grafenwoehr” and “Kaiserslautern” bases. These refugees will remain at these sites until their permanent residence is determined and they are transferred there. In addition to housing and care, their medical needs will also be provided.

Source: DW