Taliban: ‘No Extension Of Evacuations, Afghans Don’t Go To Airport’
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
(Worthy News) – Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban group said Tuesday that Americans must leave by August 31 and warned Afghans not to go to the Kabul airport or try to leave the country.
At a press briefing, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said there “won’t be an extension” behind the August 31 deadline.
The announcement came moments after U.S. allies said they wouldn’t be able to evacuate everyone who worked for or supported the U.S.-led coalition.
Mujahid also said that women should stay at home for now “for their safety.” However, the Taliban’s treatment of women will be “a red line,” the United Nations warned at an emergency session of the Human Rights Council.
It comes amid reports that girls have been forced to marry Taliban fighters and mistreatment of women and executions. Besides women, minority Christians are reportedly in life danger, with Christian aid workers appealing for prayers and support.
Taliban rulers have made clear they will introduce their strict interpretation of Islam, or sharia, throughout Afghanistan. Under the Taliban’s sharia policies abandoning Islam and being a devoted Christian are punishable by death, well-informed sources told Worthy News.
U.S. allies were to express their frustration about the chaotic withdrawal of the U.S. presence in Afghanistan at a Group of Seven (G7) summit.
President Joe Biden was expected to be pressed by allies to delay the withdrawal of American forces beyond his self-imposed deadline of August 31.
However, the Biden administration already said through the Defense Department that they “understand” the Taliban’s views on not extending the date for evacuations.
U.S. troops reportedly control Kabul airport from where nearly 59,000 people, mainly Afghans working for foreign forces, have been evacuated, according to data published Tuesday.
The Taliban explained they would not extend the deadline, as it would “violate the agreement” with the United States.
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