There Would Be Consequences If US Or UK Seek Additional Time For Evacuation: Taliban

Kabul: Taliban spokesperson Suhail Shaheen said if the US or UK seek additional time to continue evacuations, then there would be consequences.

The Taliban’s warning came after US President Joe Biden said recently that US troops could remain in Afghanistan long enough to oversee the “difficult and painful” evacuation of its civilians and Afghan allies.

The evacuation is underway as the Taliban take control of almost all of Afghanistan faster and faster than almost anyone could have predicted.

“It’s a red line. President Biden announced that on 31 August they would withdraw all their military forces. So if they extend it that means they are extending occupation while there is no need for that,” said Taliban spokesperson Dr Suhail Shaheen. “If the US or UK were to seek additional time to continue evacuations – the answer is no. Or there would be consequences,” he added.

“It will create mistrust between us. If they are intent on continuing the occupation it will provoke a reaction,” Shaheen said in remarks given to UK broadcaster Sky News.

Biden said on Sunday that discussions are still ongoing on extending the deployment of troops for evacuation missions in Afghanistan beyond the August 31 deadline and no decision has yet been made.

“There are discussions going on between us and the military, we hope we don’t have to expand,” Biden said. “But there are going to be discussions, I doubt how far along we are in the process.”

It was in July that Biden had issued orders to withdraw the US military from Afghanistan by August-end and end one of the country’s longest missions.

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