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Afghanistan: All stories
WorldRussia & Central Asia

Afghanistan: Taliban warns of ‘consequences’ if US, allies extend presence for evacuations

  • The Taliban did not want to compromise on the August 31 US troop pull-out, saying that remaining beyond the deadline would be ‘extending occupation’
  • Taliban sources also said the group would not announce the make-up of its government or cabinet until the last US soldier has left the country

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Fighters travel on a vehicle mounted with the Taliban flag in Kabul, after the group’s takeover of Afghanistan. Photo: AFP
Agence France-Presse
The Taliban warned on Monday there would be “consequences” if the United States and its allies extend their presence in Afghanistan beyond next week, as chaos continued to overwhelm Kabul airport.
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The hardline Islamists’ takeover of the country last weekend shocked Western nations, coming just two weeks before an August 31 deadline for all troops to fully withdraw from the country.

To manage the chaotic airlifting of foreigners and Afghans – many of whom fear reprisals for working with Western nations – thousands of soldiers have poured back into Afghanistan, with pressure growing on Washington to extend the deadline.

But the Taliban, which has so far sought to strike a more moderate tone, showed no willingness to compromise on the US pull-out.

“If the US or UK were to seek additional time to continue evacuations – the answer is no. Or there would be consequences,” Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen told Sky News on Monday. Staying beyond the agreed deadline would be “extending occupation”, he added.

Two Taliban sources, meanwhile, said the group would not announce the make-up of its government or cabinet until the last US soldier had left the country.

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