Commander of US Central Command General Kenneth McKenzie informed that the US evacuated 79 thousand people from Kabul, including 6 thousand American citizens, since August 14. The last flight, a large C-17 military transport, took off from Hamid Karzai International Airport just before the clock struck midnight.
President Joe Biden announced he will address the nation today on the final US exit from Afghanistan after 20 years of war against the Taliban.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that America’s work in Afghanistan will continue.
Meanwhile Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said that Afghanistan had gained full independence with the US withdrawal. Taliban termed it a historic moment.
US President Joe Biden had earlier set August 31 as the final deadline for America’s complete withdrawal from Kabul. Biden said that the withdrawal decision was taken based on the unanimous recommendation of the Joint Chiefs and of all of US commanders on the ground to end the airlift mission as planned. Biden also paid tribute to 13 American soldiers who lost their lives in Kabul airport blast last week.
Meanwhile, United Nations Security Council has adopted a resolution that expects the Taliban to allow Afghans and foreigners safely leave the country.
Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla was chairing the the 15-member Council’s meet in New York. Speaking after the resolution was adopted, Shringla said that Afghan territory should not be used to threaten or attack any other country or to shelter or train terrorists, or to plan or to finance terrorist acts. He said that the resolution underlines the risk individuals and entities designated by UN Security Council 1267 and added that it is of direct importance to India.
The resolution text calls for the Taliban to allow for full, safe, and unhindered access for the United Nations and other agencies to provide humanitarian assistance. The resolution was put forward by the US, the UK, France. It was adopted with the support of 13 members with Russia and China abstaining and no one voting against the resolution.
The resolution also reaffirms the importance of upholding human rights, including of children, women and minorities and encourages all parties to seek an inclusive, negotiated political settlement with the full, equal and meaningful representation of women.
