Afghanistan crisis LIVE updates: US Prez Joe Biden vows retaliation after Kabul blasts

According to the latest White House numbers, at least 4,200 people were evacuated from Kabul in a 12-hour period on Friday (local time).

The US has assisted in the evacuation of about 109,200 civilians from Afghanistan since August 14, according to the White House.

State Department spokesperson Ned Price said that the US will return Kabul airport to the Afghan people (local time).

"Upon our departure, we will transfer the Kabul airport back to the Afghan people," the State Department official said during a media briefing.

Despite days of upheaval around the Kabul airport, including an attack claimed by the Islamic State group, Albania on Friday housed its first group of Afghan evacuees who made it out of their country. Prime Minister Edi Rama paid a visit to some of the evacuees at Golem, a coastal resort 50 kilometres (30 miles) west of Tirana.

An anonymous Afghan woman told him in a handout video from his office that "it still feels like a nightmare that we would wake up from," adding that she was grateful to have made it to safety.

An Egyptian Almasria Universal Airlines plane carrying 121 people, including 11 children, landed at the Tirana international airport around 3:20 a.m. (01:20 GMT), according to a government statement. Up to 4,000 Afghans can be temporarily housed in Albania, who would be at risk in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.
 

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that the US will engage with the Taliban to secure the safe departure of individuals from Afghanistan after the August 31 deadline for withdrawal.

"The President directed the Secretary of State to continue diplomatic efforts with international partners to secure means for third-country nationals and Afghans with visas to leave the country even after the US military presence ends," Psaki said during a press briefing on Friday (local time).

"A part of that would certainly be having a coordinated approach and engagement with the Taliban," she added.

President Joe Biden has asked Secretary of State Antony Blinken to engage with global allies to decide the best way forward in Afghanistan, according to Psaki, who added that the international community has leverage over the Taliban.

Following the so-called success in Afghanistan, the Taliban are expected to shelter more Jihadis after gaining access to the US' sophisticated weapons. After 20 years, the Taliban has taken control of Afghanistan, with US President Joe Biden announcing the end of the US military mission at the end of August.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Italian counterpart Mario Draghi spoke on the phone. The leaders reviewed Afghanistan's recent developments and their consequences for the region and the world.

"They strongly condemned horrific terror attack at Kabul International Airport y'day & emphasised need to ensure safe repatriation of stranded people. They stressed upon need for int'l cooperation in addressing humanitarian crisis & long term security concerns from Afghanistan," PMO tweeted.

Other major concerns on the G20 agenda, such as climate change, were also discussed by the leaders. They also discussed other upcoming global events, including COP26. Italy's proactive leadership in productively leading G20 meetings was praised by the PM, said the Prime Minister's Office.

Following the tragic incident at Kabul airport, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)  on Friday emphasized the importance of combating terrorism in Afghanistan.

"The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security. Deliberately targeting civilians and personnel assisting in the evacuation of civilians is especially abhorrent and must be condemned," UNSC said in a statement.

The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the blast, which occurred on Thursday evening while the country was still being evacuated following the Taliban's control.

The killing of British people in the Kabul airport attacks underlines the necessity of evacuation efforts, said British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who added that the UK will "shift heaven and earth" to retrieve those left behind after the airlift ends.

He noted that the withdrawal's timing is "certainly not the one this country would have chosen," but praised the evacuation effort as "quite remarkable."

Rony Yedidia Clein, Chargé d'affaires at the Embassy of Israel in India condemned the terrorist attacks at Kabul Airport last night.

"Such a tragic, horrible terrorist attack (last night) on American forces & Afghani people who were at the airport. The State of Israel is shocked and saddened by this terror attack last night, she said.

"We're deeply concerned about the deteriorating human rights situation in Afghanistan. We thought maybe things would start getting normal but it seems that it's just getting worse and deteriorating," she added.

Statement by UNICEF Afghanistan Representative Hervé Ludovic De Lys on the attack at the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul on Thursday: 

“UNICEF strongly condemns the attacks at the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul on Thursday, which reportedly killed at least 60 people and injured over 120, including women and children. UNICEF offers its deepest condolences to all the families affected by these senseless acts. We call on all parties to ensure women and children are protected, at all times. UNICEF is deeply concerned about children’s safety and the rise in grave violations against children in recent weeks. With increased conflict and insecurity, children in Afghanistan have already paid a devastating price. More than 550 children were killed and over 1,400 injured since the start of 2021, as documented by the UN.  In addition, almost 10 million children are in need of urgent humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan.”

An official has stated that at least 95 Afghans were killed in Thursday’s suicide bombings outside Kabul’s international airport. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media. The official further informed that the actual death toll is even higher because others were involved in evacuating bodies.

Thousands of Afghans continue to swarm Kabul's Hamid Karzai International Airport even as two deadly explosions rocked the war-torn country's capital city on Thursday. Visuals accessed by Republic TV show Afghans thronging the airport in a bid to flee the country which is currently under the Taliban. On Thursday, two suicide bombers and gunmen attacked Afghans and US troops in Kabul. The Islamic State of Khorasan Province (IS-K) claimed responsibility for the attack.  

Amid the chaos in Afghanistan, the Spanish government has informed that it has ended its evacuation operation from Afghanistan with the arrival in Dubai early on Friday of the two military aircraft that have carried Spaniards and vulnerable Afghans out of the Taliban-controlled country. On the other hand, Italy too has stated that its last air bridge flight carrying 109 Afghan citizens has landed in Rome. The United Kingdom's Defence Minister too has informed that the country will end its evacuation operation 'in a matter of hours'. 

Amid the turmoil in Afghanistan, Republic Media Network has been constantly reporting from the war-torn country. Moreover, the Republic Media Network also reported from Panjshir, where the National Resistance Front is based. Tune in to watch the exclusive ground report and updates here:

Amid the crisis in Afghanistan, TOLOnews reported that the Taliban and Ahmad Massoud-led National Resistance Front have agreed to avoid using military action against each other till the next round of talks. 

Afghanistan's caretaker President on Friday alleged that the Islamic State - Khorasan Province (IS-K)  has links with the Taliban and the Haqqani Network, mainly in Kabul. Saleh has therefore hit out at the Taliban for denying links with the IS-K. This comes after the IS-K has claimed responsibility for the Kabul terrorist attack. 

United States Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday condemned the Kabul terrorist attacks. Harris also stated that she and second gentleman, Douglas Emhoff condoled the death of 13 American service members. The Vice President further remarked that the US will complete its evacuation mission.

The flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset on August 30. 

US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are scheduled to meet their national security team to hear the intelligence, security and diplomatic updates on the current and evolving situation in Afghanistan. 

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken informed that he spoke with UK's Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab on Friday following the horrific terrorist attack in Kabul. Both sides discussed the importance of continued close counterterrorism cooperation. In addition, they also discussed about forming a coordinated international approach to challenges in Afghanistan.

India's Ambassador to United Nations T S Tirumurti condemned the terrorist attacks in Kabul during the UN Security Council meeting on Ethiopia.

Following the Kabul Airport attack, United Nations chief António Guterres has called for a permanent Security Council meeting on Afghanistan. Earlier, Guterres condemned the terrorist attack in Kabul and asserted the need to deliver urgent assistance to the Afghan people.

Joe Biden, US President Joe Biden stated that there are grounds to believe the leaders of the Islamic State-Khorasan terror group are responsible for the Kabul airport attack that killed 12 US service members.

"With regard to finding, tracking down the ISIS [Islamic State] leaders who ordered this, we have some reason to believe we know who they are, not certain, and we will find ways of our choosing without large military operations to get them," Biden said on Thursday.

During the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, Biden said the Islamic State-Khorasan had planned complex attacks against US forces and others in Afghanistan.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison condemned "heinous and barbaric attacks" at the Kabul airport. Australia also mourned the tragic loss of US military personnel and Afghans in the horrific terrorist attacks. 

He wrote on Twitter, "Deeply saddened by the deaths of US military personnel and Afghans in the horrific terrorist attacks in Kabul. We mourn your tragic loss. Australia condemns these heinous and barbaric attacks." "All our brave ADF and Australian personnel are safe," he added.

Also, Defence Minister Peter Dutton said on Friday that no Australian troops were killed in the suicide bombing at Kabul's airport and that all Australian military personnel had left Afghanistan before the attack.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi ordered that the flags at the US Capitol in Washington be flown at half-staff "in respect of the US service members and others" killed in the attack.

She wrote, "Today, I ordered flags at the U.S. Capitol to be flown at half-staff in honor of the U.S. Servicemembers & others killed in the terrorist attack outside of the Kabul airport."

Congress & the Country pray for the innocent lives lost, those injured & the families of all affected," she added.

In one of the bloodiest terrorist attacks in Afghanistan in over a year, ISIS attacked the Kabul airport and killed 13 US soldiers and injured 18 others, according to the Pentagon.

U.S. Central Command Commander General Kenneth Franklin McKenzie told reporters at a Pentagon press conference on Thursday that the terrorist attack was carried out by ISIS gunmen, hours after the attackers opened fire on American soldiers outside the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul.

“The attack on the Abbey Gate was followed by a number of ISIS gunmen who opened fire on civilians and military forces,” McKenzie said.

Following the twin airport bombings in Kabul, Joe Biden pledged to continue the US evacuation operation and announced that he is considering strikes against ISIS-K assets. In an emotional statement from the White House, US President Joe Biden stated that the attacks would not force the US out of Afghanistan sooner than planned, and he warned of the consequences for those guilty.

Biden said, "We have some sense...what the families of these brave heroes are feeling today. You get this feeling like you're being sucked into a black hole in the middle of your chest. There's no way out. My heart aches for you."

"We will not forgive. We'll not forget. We will hunt you down and make you pay," US President Joe Biden to Kabul bombers.

It all began in 2001, when four commercial flights were hijacked and flown into the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Washington, and a field in Pennsylvania, killing nearly 3,000 people. Al-Qaeda claimed responsibility for the assaults, despite the fact that its leader, Osama Bin Laden, was under the protection of the Taliban, Afghanistan's dictator at the time. The US approached the Taliban in an attempt to extradite Osama Bin Laden, but when they refused, the military stepped in. They ousted the Taliban and promised to establish a democratic government there, which they did in 2004.

As per reports, in 2020, the US signed a deal with the Taliban for peace in Afghanistan. As part of the deal, the US and NATO agreed to withdraw all troops from the country within 14 months. The incumbent President Joe Biden, keeping in line with the agreement announced that the troops would all be withdrawn on August 31, steps toward which the US started taking from July itself. Making the best use of the opportunity to re-establish its regime, the Taliban started capturing one territory after the other and finally surrounded the capital city-Kabul, forcing the Ashraf Ghani-led government to surrender. 

Former US President Donald Trump expressed his sympathies to the families of US service members killed in an explosion at Kabul Airport in Afghanistan on Thursday. In a statement, Trump stated that the incident should never have happened.

"Melania and I send our deepest condolences to the families of our brilliant Service Members whose duty to the USA meant so much to them," Trump said in a statement adding that "our thoughts are also with the families of the innocent civilians who died today in the savage Kabul attack."

"This tragedy should have never been allowed to happen, which makes our grief even deeper and more difficult to understand," he continued. "May God bless the U.S.A."

President Joe Biden is pushing ahead with the evacuation of Americans and others from Afghanistan, following attacks that killed at least 12 US servicemembers and crushed hopes of a bloodless finish to the US's 20-year battle. As many as 1,000 Americans, as well as many more Afghans, are still attempting to flee Kabul.

Biden was informed of the attacks, which killed hundreds of Afghans and occurred 12 days into the rushed evacuation and five days before it was supposed to end. 

After the attacks, Gen. Frank McKenzie, the US general in charge of the evacuation, said, "If we can find who is associated with this, we will go after them."

In the waning days of airlift for civilians fleeing the Taliban rule, two suicide bombers and gunmen targeted crowds of Afghans heading to Kabul's airport Thursday, turning a desperate sight into one of terror. According to Afghan and US sources, at least 60 Afghans and 12 US servicemen were killed.

Eleven Marines and one Navy medic were among those killed, according to US officials. They stated another 12 military members had been injured and warned that the death toll might rise. According to an Afghan official, more than 140 Afghans were injured.

Using its Telegram account, ISIS-K claimed responsibility for two deadly attacks at Kabul airport. One of the two explosions was a suicide bombing at Kabul Airport, and the other occurred at the Baron Hotel, which serves as a NATO force's guest house. Over 40 people were reportedly killed in the two explosions.

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin wrote, "On behalf of the men and women of the Department of Defense, I express my deepest condolences to the loved ones and teammates of all those killed and wounded in Kabul today."

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said that India strongly condemned the Kabul bombings. India sent its heartfelt sympathies to the families of those who were killed or injured in this terrible incident. Today's assaults highlight the importance of the international community uniting against terrorism and all those who provide sanctuaries to terrorists, said MEA.

After the twin blasts at Kabul Airport, another explosion has been reported in Kabul, according to reports. One of the previous two blasts was a suicide bombing at Kabul Airport and the second blast was at Baron Hotel which serves as a guest house for NATO forces. Reportedly over 40 have been killed in the two blasts.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel talking to a media house, said "We don't know all the details, but the terrorists were targeting people waiting outside the airport gates hoping to leave. They want security and freedom for themselves and therefore this is an absolutely horrendous attack in a very, very tense situation and I think in these minutes of the victims and their families."

Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General of the United Nations, said "I just spoke to the Secretary-general, who is following with great concern the situation, ongoing situation in Kabul and especially at the airport. He condemns this terrorist attack which killed and injured a number of civilians and extends his deep condolences to the families of those killed. He stands in solidarity and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured. This incident underscores the volatility of the situation on the ground in Afghanistan, but also strengthens our resolve as we continue to deliver urgent assistance across the country in support of the Afghan people."

Pentagon has confirmed fatalities of American citizens in the twin blasts at Kabul Airport, one of which was a suicide bombing attack. 

The US Embassy has issued an alert telling US citizens to "avoid travelling to the airport and avoid airport gates," following an explosion outside Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul.

Two blasts have been reported at Kabul Airport. The first was a suicide bombing attack followed by gun firing at Kabul Airport. At least 13 have died in the suicide bombing, however, the death toll could be much higher. The second blast was reported at the gates of Baron Hotel which is near the airport. The hotel serves as a guest house for the NATO forces.

Watch Live updates below:

Fox News has reported that the second explosion outside Baron hotel close to the Kabul Aiport, which is said to be a guest house for NATO allied forces. At least 13 people including children killed in the first blast outside Kabul Airport, casualties from the second blast are still unclear.

Turkish Defense reports two explosions outside Kabul airport. Citing local Afghan media reports, Republic's sources on ground have said at least 11 were killed in the suicide bombing attack along with gun firing which is also said to be sniper shots. This attack occurs after several intelligence reports suspected an ISIS-led attack in Kabul.

Watch Live here:

Fifteen people have been injured at the Kabul airport explosion due to a suicide bombing attack. Three are said to be American soldiers among the 15 injured, as per reports.

Watch fast-paced developments here 

Explosion outside Kabul Aiport revealed by Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby occurred due to a suicide bombing attack. The suicide bombing attack was combined by gunshots at the Kabul Airport. This attack has occurred after intel information of an ISIS-led attack was suspected. Several disturbing visuals of blood-soaked civilians have been accessed by Republic. Watch live updates below 

 An explosion has been reported outside Kabul Airport, according to John Kurby, Pentagon's Press Secretary. Watch Live Updates : www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtoOK86mW8Y

Addressing the media after the all-party meeting on the Afghanistan situation which lasted for nearly 3 and a half years, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated that the Centre's focus is on evacuation and the government is doing everything to evacuate people. Maintaining that all political parties have a strong position on Afghanistan, he emphasised that the friendship with Afghans matters to India. Moreover, he revealed that most of the Indians in the war-torn country along with some Afghans have been evacuated under Operation Devi Shakti. 

He added, "The government is very strongly committed to ensuring full evacuation as soon as possible, and also seeing that in terms of any international decisions which are made, any gatherings that are there, that our role is recognized. There will be many more meetings in coming days."

In a fresh development, a group of 140 Afghan Hindus and Sikhs who were scheduled to arrive later on Thursday in Delhi on an annual pilgrimage tour and to attend the celebrations organised to commemorate 400th birth anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur were stopped by the Taliban from entering the airport.

Indian World Forum president Puneet Singh stated, “I appeal upon Taliban to facilitate an early departure of Afghan Hindu & Sikhs Pilgrims  in the interest of humanity at the highest level.Hindu & Sikh community in Afghanistan has significantly contirbuted in the development and economic growth of the islamic nation and they should be granted free and safe access to arrive and depart”.

In the all-party meeting, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told the MPs that the the situation in Afghanistan is extremely critical. Mentioning that India is trying to rescue as many persons as possible including those brought back today, he expressed solidarity with the people of the war-torn country. Most importantly, he reportedly made it clear that the Taliban didn't stand by its commitment to have a peaceful transition of power as per the Doha agreement. Indian Ambassador to Afghanistan Rudrendra Tandon and Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla also spoke on this occasion.

The British government has warned of a terror attack at the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul.After the US and Australia, the UK has also asked the stranded persons to leave the airport area immediately.  Meanwhile, the Danish Defence Minister warned that it is no longer safe to fly in or out of Kabull. 

As per reports, the Taliban has asked Turkey for "technical help" to run the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul. However, the terrorist group also insisted that the Turkish troops should fully withdraw by August 31.

The Indian Air Force C-17 aircraft ferrying 24 Indians and 11 Nepal nationals from Kabul landed at the Hindon airbase in Delhi. Already, India has rescued more than 800 persons from Afghanistan after Taliban assumed charge.

Former Wolesi Jirga member Hafiz Mansoor revealed that a delegation from the National Resistance Front in Charikar met with Taliban members. According to him, it was decided that the two sides would refrain from attacking each other's positions and would continue their peace efforts.

On the lines of the US, Australia too on advised its citizens stranded in Afghanistan not to travel to the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul owing to a very high threat of a terrorist attack. Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne urged them to move to a safe location in the airport's vicinity pending further advice. 

As per a media report, the Taliban has restricted access to the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul. Moreover, the terrorist outfit has reportedly asked international organizations to share the list of their affilitates with them in advance so that they can be allowed to enter the airport. 

A plane carrying nearly 180 persons including Indians and Afghan Sikhs and Hindus is expected to land in Delhi soon. Already, India has evacuated over 800 persons from Afghanistan as a part of Operation Devi Shakti. 
 

In a fresh security alert issued by the US Embassy in Kabul, US citizens outside the Abbey Gate, East Gate, or North Gate of the Hamid Karzai International Airport have been asked to leave immediately due to security threats. It advised US nationals to avoid travelling to the Kabul airport unless they received individual instructions from a US government representative. 

On Thursday, the central government has scheduled an all-party meeting to discuss the situation in Afghanistan. The meeting is set to begin at 11 a.m.

This comes as the government has instructed External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to update all major party floor leaders on Afghanistan's Taliban takeover. Pralhad Joshi, Parliamentary Affairs Minister, stated that Jaishankar will do so during the in-person meeting.

"Floor Leaders of Political Parties would be briefed by EAM @DrSJaishankar on the present situation in Afghanistan, on 26th August, 11 am in Main Committee Room, PHA, New Delhi. Invites are being sent through email. All concerned are requested to attend," he tweeted on Tuesday.

White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said on Wednesday that US President Joe Biden had been informed earlier in the day on possible contingency plans relating to the US withdrawal and evacuation operations in Afghanistan.

"We are on track to complete our mission by August 31. Obviously, there are discussions, and the President received a briefing just this morning. As I noted, he asked yesterday for contingency plans and he received a briefing on them this morning," Psaki said during a press briefing.

Given a number of circumstances, including the ISIS-K (banned in Russia) threat, the necessity to communicate with the Taliban (banned in Russia), and the possibility of staying in Afghanistan beyond August 31, Biden requested maximum flexibility in the contingency plans, according to Psaki.

Experts say that now that the Taliban has retaken control of Afghanistan after 20 years, Afghan women would face an uncertain future under the terrorist group's rule.  The Taliban seized control of the war-torn country when international forces withdrew from Afghanistan, with the United States starting its withdrawal in May and now nearing the conclusion of its military campaign.

Dr Sajjan Gohel, a security and terrorism analyst, said that women are scared out of their (Taliban) minds, according to reports.

"From the Afghan women I've spoken to, it's incredibly traumatic. You're looking at an entire generation who only read about the Taliban in books. Now, they're having to live side-by-side with what is effectively a misogynistic cult." Dr Gohel added.
 

The Danish air force has completed flights out of Kabul, evacuating over 1,000 individuals since the Taliban (a terrorist group banned in Russia) took control, said the Danish Defense Ministry

"The last Danish Hercules plane has taken off from Kabul. Since August 15, the Danish air force has taken more than 1,000 people out of Afghanistan," the ministry said.

Diplomatic personnel from Denmark's embassy in Kabul, their families, and former translators who supported the country's forces in Afghanistan, as well as Danish nationals and citizens of other nations, are among the evacuees.

Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, Pakistan's export economy has suffered, causing delays in the delivery of commodities to the war-torn country over the Torkham border.

The country's exports and commercial activities with Afghanistan have been restricted, according to traders and customs clearance agents at the border crossing, due to the uncertainty and worries induced by the delay in the creation of the new government in Kabul.

"It's complete chaos in Afghanistan. We don't expect a permanent and secure business strategy from the Afghan Taliban, who seized Kabul early last week after nearly all of the country," said Mujeebur Rehman, an exporter and customs clearing agent.
 

Antony Blinken, United States Secretary of State, informed that the US has evacuated 4000 people since August 14. 500 are expected to evacuate soon and 1500 US citizens are still in Afghanistan. He stated that their first priority is the evacuation of US personnel. 

Blinken said, "More than 82300 has been safely flown out of Kabul. In past 24 hours and 19 thousand have been evacuated."

He stated, "We have been moving 100s of Afghanistan citizens to the airport every day. Americans staying in Afghanistan their exact number is hard to pin down. We are focused on onboarding Americans out of Afghanistan and after that verifying the numbers. We are evacuating locals, other Afghans at risk."

Blinken noted, "We are operating under a hostile environment, where there is a very real possibility of an ISIS Terror attack. our efforts are to ensure people who wants to leave Afghanistan after US leaves should be able to do so."

"We will use everything that we have in alliance with allies to uphold their basic rights. Along with US citizens and people working side by side, we are focused on evacuating staff," he added. 
 

While facing resistance from the Northern Alliance led by Ahmad Massoud, the Taliban kept on framing points for government formation in Afghanistan, and on August 23 announced that a 12 member council would actually run the war-torn country. To make the council 'inclusive', and probably to please the people of Afghanistan, the terrorist group include a few members of the previous Afghan governments, which included former President Hamid Karzai, and Abdullah Abdullah, the chief of the High Council for National Reconciliation. 

On August 24, it even made key appointments. Former Guantanamo detainee Mullah Abdul Qayyum Zakir was appointed as the acting Defence Minister. Among other appointments include, Najibullah being given the post of Intelligence Chief of Afghanistan while the post of the Finance Minister being given to Gul Agha. Sakhaullah has been made the Head of Education, and Abdul Baqi will be the acting Head of Higher Education. Sadr Ibrahim has been named as the acting interior minister.

The Taliban gave the United States an ultimatum after the global pressure for extension increased. However, turning a deaf ear to the urge of the international community, and complying with the terrorist group, the Joe Biden administration on August 24 made it clear that it would be leaving Afghanistan on the scheduled date. President Joe Biden said that the country is “on pace” to complete its pullout from the war-ravaged nation. He added that contingency plans were being put together in case America fails to meet the self-imposed deadline.