Taliban: "No More Local Afghans Allowed to Leave... US Must Adhere to Withdrawal Deadline"

"Intensified Workforce Drain"... Foreigners Allowed to Depart
August 31 Withdrawal Deadline Reemphasized... US Also Maintains Position

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The Afghan armed group Taliban announced that it will control the departure of Afghan locals through Kabul Airport, citing a serious outflow of Afghan personnel. It also warned the United States and Western countries once again to adhere to the August 31 withdrawal deadline.

According to Afghan local media Tolo News on the 24th (local time), Zabihullah Mujahid, Taliban spokesperson, said at a press conference held that day, "Foreign nationals will continue to be allowed access to Kabul Airport, but the access of Afghan locals will be controlled," emphasizing, "The United States and Western countries must not cause the outflow of skilled personnel such as engineers and doctors within Afghanistan."

He also reiterated, "The United States and Western countries must strictly observe the August 31 deadline for troop withdrawal." The Taliban had warned the previous day as well, calling the withdrawal deadline a "red line" and stating that failure to comply would result in corresponding consequences.

Meanwhile, at the emergency video summit of the Group of Seven (G7) convened earlier that day at the request of the United Kingdom, an agreement to extend the withdrawal deadline of troops stationed in Afghanistan was not reached. It is known that the U.S. government decided to adhere to the withdrawal deadline, judging that extending it could threaten Kabul Airport and evacuees due to Taliban pressure and other factors.

According to CNN, William Burns, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), held secret behind-the-scenes negotiations with Taliban leader Abdul Ghani Baradar in Kabul the previous day, but the Taliban strongly rejected the proposal to extend the withdrawal deadline, resulting in a failure of the negotiations.

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