US troops withdrawing after nearly 20 years
The US President has defended his decision of withdrawing troops from Afghanistan while accusing political and military leaders there of "giving up".
Joe Biden has admitted the collapse of the country's government "was quicker than anticipated" after the Taliban took hold.
Speaking from the White House last night he said it was time to leave the country after 20 years of conflict.
Watch live as I deliver remarks on Afghanistan. https://t.co/jNCdmkDDX6
— President Biden (@POTUS) August 16, 2021
Biden said America did all it could to help the country be ready to fight:
The Taliban has asked Unicef to temporarily pause its work in the country.
Unicef's Chief of Communication, Sam Mort is in Kabul, noting the agency has been engaging with the Taliban.
The group has declared an "amnesty" across Afghanistan, urging women to join its government.
They are attempting to calm nerves following the mass scenes of panic witnessed yesterday.
Taliban Spokesperson, Suhail Shaheen, says they do not want girls to become "victims" following concerns about human rights violations:
Nobel Prize winner Malala Yousafzai was shot by the Taliban in 2012 at the age of 15.
Her father Ziauddin is not convinced the group has changed:
Kabul native Journalist Nelofer Pazira is also questioning the Taliban's intentions:
It's believed order has been restored at Kabul airport.
The majority of countries with embassies in Kabul are now operating at the airport to process travel documentation.
Distressing pictures emerged online yesterday, purporting to show Afghans holding onto planes taking off.
Watch: A video shows the moment Afghan citizens dropped from an aircraft near #Kabul airport after clinging on to a US Air Force plane in an attempt to flee the country amid the #Taliban takeover. #Afghanistan https://t.co/2vc7iuFmgj pic.twitter.com/MdrNlasobn
— Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) August 16, 2021
Defence and Security Correspondent for the Telegraph Dominic Nicholls says it's difficult to know how the situation will play out:
An Irish woman living in Kabul says there has been a total transformation in atmosphere in the space of two days.
The Taliban is issuing public messaging to reassure people they will not be punished, after it took full control of Afghanistan yesterday.
Aoife McManus from Co. Meath, who is waiting for a flight home, says people are panicked:
Approximately 400,000 people have been forced to leave their homes in Afghanistan, since the beginning of the year.
There are calls for the international community to host Afghan nationals who have fled the country.
Spokesperson for United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Shabia Mantoo, says the neighbouring countries of Iran and Pakistan need help in their efforts to support vulnerable Afghans:
A crisis meeting of EU foreign ministers will take place later to form a response to the unfolding humanitarian crisis.
The UN says it has received "chilling reports" of human rights violations, since the Taliban takeover.
Ireland has agreed to take in up to 150 Afghan refugees through the country's protection programme.
Afghan refugees arriving into the country will not have to enter direct provision.
The Children and Equality Minister, Roderic O'Gorman, will provide chosen individuals with refugee status on humanitarian grounds.
MEP Frances Fitzgerald expects that number to increase with time:
Geraldine Byrne Nason, Ireland's representative on the UN Security Council, said it should be non-negotiable that in all future discussions the rights of women should be protected:
Another 200 British troops are being sent to Afghanistan to help the evacuation effort.
Ash Alexander-Cooper is a former British Army Colonel and adviser to the Afghan Ministry of Interior Affairs:
