By Chioma Iruke
Islamic fundamentalist group, Taliban on Monday warned there would be “consequences” if the United States and its allies extend the presence of their troops in Afghanistan beyond next week.
Recall, the Taliban’s victory ended two decades of war, as they took advantage of US President Joe Biden’s decision to exit the country and end America’s longest war.
As chaos continued to overwhelm Kabul airport, thousands of soldiers have poured back in to manage the frantic airlifting of foreigners and Afghans who fear reprisals for working with Western nations.
“If the US or UK were to seek additional time to continue evacuations — the answer is no. Or there would be consequences,” Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen told Sky News on Monday.
Staying beyond the agreed deadline would be “extending occupation,” he added.
The rush to leave Kabul has sparked harrowing scenes and killed at least eight people. Some crushed to death while at least one person died after falling from a moving plane.
One Afghan was killed and three others were injured in a dawn firefight on Monday that according to the German military, erupted between Afghan guards and unknown assailants.
German and American troops “participated in further exchange of fire,” the German army said in a statement.
The Taliban, infamous for an ultra-strict interpretation of sharia law during their initial 1996-2001 rule, have repeatedly vowed a softer version this time.
The Taliban’s took over Afghanistan two weeks before an August 31 deadline for all US troops to fully withdraw from the country.
