US Tells Taliban "Will Stay Quiet If Americans' Withdrawal Is Not Interfered With" (Comprehensive)

US Senior Official: Military Strategy Unchanged Unless Embassy Withdrawal Affects Impact

▲Helicopter conducting evacuation operation at the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] As the Islamic militant group Taliban has effectively taken control of Afghanistan and begun the transfer of power, the United States has stated that it will not change its current military strategy regarding Afghanistan, including troop withdrawal.

However, this is on the condition that "the Taliban does not interfere with the U.S. Embassy."

According to major foreign media on the 15th (local time), a senior U.S. government official said regarding the situation in Afghanistan, "There is unlikely to be any change in military strategy as long as the Taliban does not affect the withdrawal of the U.S. Embassy."

This statement is interpreted to mean that if the Taliban does not threaten the safety of U.S. diplomats and citizens remaining in Kabul and other areas, the complete withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, scheduled by the end of this month, will proceed as planned.

Since May, when U.S. and allied forces began phased withdrawal, the Taliban has intensified its offensive and currently controls most of Afghanistan except for the capital, Kabul.

On this day, the senior U.S. government official said, "There is no sign yet of a large-scale move by the Taliban to enter Kabul," and added, "Ross Wilson, the acting U.S. Ambassador in Kabul, is at Kabul airport."

Employees of the U.S. Embassy in Kabul began full-scale withdrawal starting this day.

The U.S. government decided to send 5,000 troops, including Marines, to support the evacuation of its citizens.

Regarding the withdrawal, Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. Special Representative for Afghan Peace Negotiations, reportedly demanded the Taliban not to allow their members into Kabul until all Americans have escaped, according to CNN citing sources.

The U.S. is accelerating the withdrawal operation with the goal of evacuating the Kabul embassy within 72 hours.