Afghanistan Crisis: France Says Need More Time For Afghan Evacuation
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French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said on Monday, 23 August, that Paris believed it necessary to continue Afghan evacuations beyond Washington's 31 August deadline following the Taliban takeover, reported AFP.
Meanwhile, Taliban spokesperson Suhail Shaheen has warned the US that if the country delays the withdrawal of its troops, it will have to bear 'consequences'.
Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden, in an address late on Sunday on Afghanistan, said discussions are going on about the possible extension of the 31 August evacuation deadline. "Our hope is, we don't want to extend. But there is going to be a discussion, I suspect, on how far along we're in the process," he was quoted as saying.
The Taliban took over Afghanistan on 15 August, as President Ashraf Ghani fled
Since the Taliban's takeover, chaos has emerged at the airport in Kabul as countries scramble to evacuate their citizens, while locals are desperate to flee the country
168 passengers on a special flight from Kabul landed in India on Sunday
Two other flights carrying around 350 people evacuated from Kabul landed in India from Dushanbe and Doha on Sunday morning
Discussions Going On About Possible Extension of 31 Evacuation Deadline: US President Biden
US President Joe Biden, in an address late on Sunday on Afghanistan, said discussions are going on about the possible extension of the 31 August evacuation deadline. "Our hope is, we don't want to extend. But there is going to be a discussion, I suspect, on how far along we're in the process," he was quoted as saying.
US Has Helped Evacuate Over 30,000 People Since 14 Aug: White House Official
The US has evacuated and facilitated the evacuation of approximately 30,300 people on military and coalition flights since 14 August, a White House official was quoted as saying on Sunday, in the context of Afghanistan.
Approximately 35,500 people have been relocated since the end of July, the official added.
Gun Battle Erupts at Kabul Airport, 1 Guard Killed: Report
A gun battle erupted on Monday at the Kabul Airport with the German and US forces joining in after Afghan guards and unknown assailants exchanged fire. At least one guard was killed in the fracas, news agency AFP reported, citing the German Army.
Chaotic scenes have emerged from the Kabul airport ever since the Taliban's takeover of the capital on 15 August, with countries scrambling to evacuate their citizens and locals desperate to flee the country.
PM Modi Instructs MEA to Brief Floor Leaders on Afghanistan: EAM Jaishankar
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, on Monday, tweeted:
"In view of developments in Afghanistan, PM Modi has instructed that MEA brief Floor Leaders of political parties. Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi will be intimating further details."
Indian Govt to Hold All Party Meet on Afghanistan on Thursday: Report
The Indian Government is slated to hold an all-party meeting at 11 AM on Thursday, 26 August, with regards to the situation in Afghanistan, reported CNN News18.
'Consequences' if US Withdrawal Delayed:
Taliban spokesperson Suhail Shaheen on Sunday, 22 August warned the US that if the country delays the withdrawal of its troops, it will have to bear consequences.
In an interview with Sky News, the spokesperson said:
"If the US or UK were to seek additional time to continue evacuations - the answer is no. Or there would be consequences," he added.
Protest Takes Place at Delhi's Jantar Mantar in Solidarity With Afghan Women
Many gathered at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on Monday evening to show solidarity with the Afghan community in the country amid Taliban’s take-over of Afghanistan, reported NDTV.
Some, as per NDTV, were carrying placards of "Save Afghan Women" and demanded support for the Afghan women.
France Says Need More Time For Afghan Evacuation, Taliban Stick To 31 August
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said on Monday that Paris believed it necessary to continue Afghan evacuations beyond Washington's 31 August deadline following the Taliban takeover, reported AFP.
France is seeking to evacuate more than 1,000 Afghans who are fleeing the country following the Taliban's lightning takeover a week ago, one of a number of nations scrambling to pull out vulnerable individuals.
"We are concerned about the deadline set by the United States on August 31. Additional time is needed to complete ongoing operations," Le Drian told reporters at the UAE's Al-Dhafra air base, where France has set up an air bridge for people evacuated from Kabul.
16,000 People Evacuated From Kabul in 24 Hours: Pentagon
16,000 people have been evacuated from Kabul airport in the past 24 hours, the Pentagon said on Monday.
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