Taliban warn US to complete evacuation by Aug 31

Kabul, Aug 23 (UNI) The Taliban on Monday said they will not extend the August 31 deadline for the US and other western countries to complete their evacuation and warned of a “reaction” if they don’t comply.

Afghan news sites quoted the Taliban as saying that the 31st of August was “a red line”.

Taliban spokesperson Suhail Shaheen said that US President Joe Biden had said that US troops would be out by that date, and extending it meant extending Afghanistan’s occupation.

“If they are intent on continuing the occupation, it will provoke a reaction,” Shaheen said.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to use an emergency G7 meeting on Tuesday to ask President Biden to delay the US troop withdrawal to allow more time for evacuations from Kabul airport.

Thousands of Afghans and foreign nationals are still gathered at Kabul airport to get on flights out of the country.