"Extension of Afghanistan Withdrawal Deadline Hinges on Biden... Decision Expected Within 24 Hours"

US Department of Defense Asked to Decide on Extension Within 24 Hours
Pressure Intensifies Ahead of G7 Summit... Possibility of Extension Raised

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The Biden administration in the United States is reportedly waiting only for President Biden's final decision regarding the extension of the withdrawal deadline for U.S. troops stationed in Afghanistan. The U.S. Department of Defense has requested President Biden to make a decision within 24 hours, considering the remaining time needed to prepare for the withdrawal of U.S. forces still in Afghanistan. While President Biden is still hesitant to decide, with a virtual summit with the Group of Seven (G7) countries approaching and allied nations flooding requests for an extension of the withdrawal deadline, forecasts suggest that an extension is likely to be decided.

On the 23rd (local time), CNN cited a senior official within the U.S. Department of Defense, reporting, "The issue of extending the Afghanistan withdrawal deadline now rests solely on the President's decision," and "The Department of Defense has officially requested a decision within 24 hours, considering the timing of the withdrawal of U.S. troops stationed in Afghanistan." CNN also reported that President Biden has not yet made a decision and that discussions about extending the withdrawal deadline are ongoing at the White House.

There is also strong demand within U.S. political circles for an extension of the withdrawal deadline. On the same day, Adam Schiff, Chairman of the U.S. House Intelligence Committee, emphasized the need for an extension during a press conference after receiving reports from U.S. intelligence agencies, stating, "Considering the number of Americans still needing evacuation, I believe it is very unlikely that the operation will be completed within the deadline."

On the same day, the U.S. Department of Defense announced that over the past 24 hours, it successfully evacuated more than 10,400 people from Kabul Airport. However, with only one week left until the withdrawal deadline of August 31, concerns are rising that there is insufficient time to evacuate all remaining American citizens and Afghan locals cooperating with U.S. forces. It is also reported that the 5,800 U.S. troops currently guarding Kabul Airport are waiting for President Biden's decision to prepare for withdrawal.

With a virtual meeting with G7 leaders scheduled for the 24th, attention is focused on whether President Biden will decide to extend the withdrawal deadline as allied countries unanimously urge for an extension. Earlier, according to the British BBC, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson held a phone call with President Biden ahead of the G7 virtual summit on the 24th to discuss the Afghanistan situation. BBC reported that Johnson informed President Biden that the extension of the withdrawal deadline would be discussed at the G7 summit and expressed the necessity of an extension.

Following this, the French and German governments also expressed a unified stance on the need for an extension. Jean-Yves Le Drian, French Foreign Minister, emphasized the necessity of extending the withdrawal deadline during a press conference held while visiting the United Arab Emirates (UAE), stating, "It is absolutely impossible to evacuate our nationals and Afghans who assisted France within the withdrawal deadline." German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas also stated at a press conference that "plans to continue dialogue with the Taliban remain, and evacuation efforts will continue even after U.S. troop withdrawal."

However, earlier, the Taliban hinted at possible retaliation if the withdrawal deadline is extended, leading to assessments that President Biden is finding it difficult to make a decision. Taliban spokesperson Suhail Shaheen warned strongly in an interview with British Sky News on the same day, saying, "The August 31 withdrawal deadline is a 'red line' that must be respected," and "If the deadline is not met, there will be consequences and significant backlash."