Delay troops departure, European allies urge US

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Biden administration has been urged by its European allies to delay its troop pullout from Afghanistan.

The American withdrawal from the war-hit country, which got under way on May 1, would be completed by July 4, US officials have suggested.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday the call from America’s European partners was aimed to give NATO more time and support to exit Afghanistan.

Reacting to requests from its allies, the Biden administration hinted at delaying US troop exit from Afghanistan by two weeks or longer.

Meanwhile, Turkey has informed the US and NATO that its troops could also depart, leaving its duty of securing the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul,.

Turkey’s potential departure, after it initially had planned to stay until after the coalition withdrawal, could prompt some Western nations to reconsider plans to keep embassies open in the capital without an international force at Hamid Karzai International Airport, officials said.

“If Turkey decides to leave, Western embassies likely will have to review plans to keep even reduced diplomatic contingents in the country,” the newspaper said.

It went on to identify international contractors as a possible alternative for protecting the airport. However, they could not stay without troops to guarantee their security.

PAN Monitor/mud

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