No Extension For Evacuation Deadline After August 31: Taliban Spokesperson

Afghanistan Evacuation Deadline: Taliban Spokesperson made the announcement that the deadline remains the same while the US  seeks that the Afghan evacuations to extend beyond the deadline.

The Taliban spokesperson Muhammad Suhail Shaheen told BBC that the Taliban will not extend the August 31 deadline for the current evacuation mission. According to reports, the UK is pressing for a deadline extension for the international evacuations beyond August 31. 

The #Taliban will not extend the August 31 deadline for the current evacuation mission, a spokesman has said.

Taliban spokesman, Muhammad Suhail Shaheen told BBC amid reports that the UK will press for a deadline extension for international evacuations beyond August 31. pic.twitter.com/BfmxuWof29

— IANS Tweets (@ians_india) August 23, 2021

On Sunday, US President Joe Biden said that they are considering the option of extending the deadline of August 31 for removing all American troops from Afghanistan. He further made assurances to the citizens saying that he pledges for troops' safety and the Afghan allies will be given a home in the United States. These allies would be screened and vetted at bases in other countries.

President Biden said, "We will welcome these Afghans who have helped us in the war effort over the last 20 years to their new home in the United States of America." He further added, "Because that’s who we are. That’s what America is."

Vice President of the US, Kamala Harris, is currently in Singapore, obtaining information regarding the events over the past week. She said that the focus is on evacuating American citizens, Afghans who worked with the US, and vulnerable Afghans, including women and children.

Protests erupted in Delhi as hundreds of people marched with 'Protect Afghan Women' banners in hand. There were Afghan refugees and others who spoke about their families who are stuck in the Taliban controlled areas. An Afghan refugee, Zara, said that she receives the news of a death of a relative or neighbour every day. She also expressed her concerns for her family who is currently stuck in Kabul.