translated from Spanish: Taliban warn of “consequences” if US does not leave Afghanistan by August 31

One of the Taliban’s spokesmen, Suhail Shahin, warned on Monday that there will be “consequences” if the United States and other foreign countries do not complete the withdrawal and evacuations from Afghanistan by August 31, the deadline set by US President Joe Biden.In an interview with Sky News, Shahin has warned that Aug. 31 “is a red line,” a date that is approaching as countries attempt to evacuate at a rapid pace and as Biden considers that U.S. troops leave the Asian country after that date.” Biden announced that on August 31 he would withdraw all his military forces,” said Shahin, who stressed that if the president extends the deadline “it means that there is an extension of the occupation when there is no need for it.” “If the U.S. or U.K. seeks more time to continue evacuations, the answer is no. Or there will be consequences,” he added. Shahin’s remarks also come as British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has asked Biden to extend the deadline to leave Afghanistan, an extension that seeks to remove as many people as possible from the country, after the Taliban have seised power in the country. Meanwhile, scenes of desperation at Kabul’s Hamid Karzai International Airport continue to occur. Shahin has also assured that citizens will be able to leave the country after August 31 if they have the necessary documentation, although he has called on Afghans to stay and “rebuild” Afghanistan.The spokesman for the insurgents has insisted that citizens who so wish will be able to leave on commercial flights after the deadline for the withdrawal of troops, and has stressed that the Taliban will not put up “obstacles” if those seeking to leave Afghanistan have passports and documentation, the BBC reports.

Original source in Spanish