US Faces Dilemma Over Afghanistan Withdrawal Deadline... Allies Urge "Extension of Withdrawal Deadline" (Comprehensive)

The Taliban Warns "Respect the Red Line"... Possibility of Retaliation
The US Unable to Decide... "Focusing on Completing Evacuation by Withdrawal Deadline"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] As US allies such as the United Kingdom, France, and Germany unanimously call for an extension of the August 31 deadline for the withdrawal from Afghanistan, pressuring the US government, the controversy over the withdrawal deadline is escalating into an international issue. Within US political circles, demands for extending the withdrawal deadline are pouring in, citing insufficient time to evacuate remaining US citizens in Afghanistan, while the Joe Biden administration has yet to make a decision. The Taliban strongly warned of possible retaliatory attacks if the US extends the withdrawal deadline.

According to the UK BBC on the 23rd (local time), UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson held a phone call with President Biden ahead of the G7 virtual summit scheduled for the 24th to discuss the Afghanistan situation. BBC reported that Johnson plans to discuss the extension of the withdrawal deadline with President Biden at the G7 summit and expressed the necessity of an extension.

The French and German governments also expressed a unified stance on the need to extend the withdrawal. Jean-Yves Le Drian, French Minister of Foreign Affairs, emphasized the necessity of extending the withdrawal deadline during a press conference held while visiting the United Arab Emirates (UAE), stating, "It is absolutely impossible to evacuate our citizens and Afghans who helped France within the withdrawal deadline." German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas also stated at a press conference that "We plan to continue dialogue with the Taliban, and evacuation efforts will continue even after the US military withdrawal."

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Pressure to extend the withdrawal deadline is also intensifying within US political circles. On the same day, Adam Schiff, Chairman of the US House Intelligence Committee, emphasized the need to extend the withdrawal deadline during a press conference after receiving reports from US intelligence agencies, saying, "Considering the number of Americans still needing evacuation, I believe it is very unlikely that the operation will be completed within the deadline."

However, the decision is expected to be difficult as the Taliban previously hinted at possible retaliation if the withdrawal deadline is extended. Taliban spokesperson Suhail Shaheen strongly warned in an interview with UK Sky News, stating, "The August 31 withdrawal deadline is a ‘red line’ that must be respected," and "If the deadline is not met, there will be consequences and significant backlash."

With concerns that the safety of remaining US citizens in Kabul might be threatened, the US government has yet to decide on extending the withdrawal deadline. On the same day, John Kirby, spokesperson for the US Department of Defense, said in a press briefing, "Although there is pressure from allies such as the UK, France, and Germany to extend the withdrawal deadline, the US military will focus on completing the withdrawal by the deadline as much as possible."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.