Afghanistan: Taliban pledged to let Americans and Afghans leave at risk after August 31 – The HuffPost

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AFGHANISTAN – The Taliban have pledged to let Americans and Afghans at risk still Afghanistan after August 31, said Wednesday, August 25 the head of American diplomacy Antony Blinken.

“The taliban have made public and private commitments to provide and enable safe passage for Americans, other foreigners, and Afghans at risk in the future after August 31, ”he said.

There are still around 1,500 Americans left in clear out Afghanistan according to assessments, the secretary of state said at a press conference.

According to Secretary of State Blinken, there were 6,500 Americans in #Afghanistan August 14. 4,500 were evacuated. He specifies that the authorities are in contact with 500 others who wish to leave and check the status of the last 1000.pic.twitter.com/nyb5iLWL5J

– Théo Laubry ?? (@TheoLaubry) August 25, 2021

According to him, the countries surrounding Afghanistan are studying “if they can play a role in keeping the airport open once our military contingent leaves or, if necessary, reopen it if it closes for a while”.

Kabul airport secured by 6,000 US troops

“The Taliban have made it clear that they have a strong interest in keeping an airport running. We, and the rest of the international community have a strong stake in this, mainly to ensure that anyone who wants to leave (Afghanistan) can do so after 31 (August) using the airport, ”said Antony Blinken. .

He did not say whether the United States would maintain a diplomatic presence after August 31, however.

“We are looking at a number of options,” he said on the issue.

Anxiety was still mounting this Wednesday among the thousands of Afghans ready to do anything to flee their country at the hands of the Taliban, after confirmation by US President Joe Biden of the end of the evacuations next week.

Thousands of Afghans have been massed for days in front of the airport of the capital, secured by more than 6,000 American soldiers, in a tense atmosphere. Some camp there with their entire family. They all hope to get into the complex and catch a plane as quickly as possible.

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