The Taliban are clear: No plans to decide on the shape of the future government by the end of August – Topky

According to a source from the environment of the Afghan government, the high-ranking Taliban representative Anas Hakkani stated in mutual negotiations that the Taliban have an agreement with the USA consisting in renouncing any steps until 31 August. However, the source did not specify whether this guideline on inaction applies only to political decisions. According to the AP, Hakkani’s statement raises concerns about what the Taliban is planning after August 31 and whether it will keep its promise to form an inclusive government with the participation of all ethnic groups.

According to the AP, the Taliban has so far said nothing about its plans to replace the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces or what their possible alternative should look like. After a rapid offensive in recent days, the Afghan militant Taliban entered the capital Kabul on Sunday, where its fighters also occupied the presidential palace. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani had fled the country shortly before.

The United States wants to complete the evacuation of Kabul Airport by August 31

The United States wants to end the evacuation operation at the airport in the Afghan capital Kabul by August 31, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Friday. “Several allies said during today’s debate that they potentially have to prolong it in order to get more people out,” said Stoltenberg after a videoconference with NATO foreign ministers.

According to the DPA, it is unlikely that the operation of Kabul Airport could be maintained without the United States, which deployed about 5,200 troops in the evacuation operation. The North Atlantic Alliance called on the Afghan Taliban movement on Friday to allow the evacuation of people from Afghanistan. At the same time, she promised that the Allies would remain in “close coordination” as long as operations continued. Since the weekend, when the Taliban took control of the capital Kabul and regained power in the country, US and NATO allies have been airlifting Afghan citizens and their families from the metropolis.

Thousands have already arrived from Kabul. However, at the beginning of the video conference, Stoltenberg pointed out that many foreigners and Afghans have a problem getting to the airport. He noted that the Taliban “hunts down Afghans” who worked for NATO.