UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to ask American President Joe Biden to keep US troops in Afghanistan after 31 August. This will allow the continuing of evacuation flights.
The PM will make the request on Tuesday at an emergency meeting of the G7 countries’ world leaders.
Following the Taliban’s sweep to power, thousands of people desperate to leave the country now crowd outside Kabul airport.
America currently plans to withdraw all their forces by the end of the month. President Biden says discussions are in progress to extend the deadline, but “our hope is we will not have to”. In an effort to speed up evacuation, US troops expanded the perimeter around the international airport. So far the Taliban has cooperated with the move.
The UK has over 1,000 Armed Forces personnel in Kabul at the moment. The government have given “no fixed date” for withdrawal. But they are concerned over the consequences of having no US troops on the ground with them. They fear that remaining allied forces will not be able to secure the area.
The UK currently chairs the meetings between the G7 group of countries. The latest talks, taking place virtually, will focus mainly on the long term future of Afghanistan, and the ongoing evacuation.
Preventing a humanitarian crisis
According to Nato officials, at least 20 people have died outside the airport, with reports of some being crushed to death.
The UK is also exploring plans on how those working for British forces can reach the UK when flights out of Kabul are not possible anymore. They are looking into the idea of setting up hubs in countries bordering Afghanistan to help.
Mr Johnson says it is crucial for international communities to work together to ensure safe evacuations and prevent a humanitarian crisis. The important thing is supporting the Afghan people to “secure the gains of the last 20 years”.
Since the Taliban’s quick capture of Afghanistan a week ago, Western powers are grappling to salvage what they can. They are caught out by the speed of it all, prompting a flurry of phone calls and video meetings.
UK government ministers are open about the situation, admitting they are not in control. They want US forces to remain in Kabul for a bit longer, as every additional day enables more evacuations by air.
However, they have to accept that time is short and some will miss out, as there are limitations on how much they can do. This is why they are trying to set up hubs in neighbouring countries, so Afghans can reach the UK once the airport in the capital is no longer in use.
The UK will continue to lobby the US to extend the exit deadline as the more time we have, the more people we can evacuate.
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