Antony Blinken the US Secretary of State commented on the withdrawal of the US forces and its implications. On Tuesday, Blinken announced that Afghanistan has no option for a civil war. Evidently speaking, no one would be interested in such a mess. He also added that but after the US military leaves the country no one can say the possible future.
On CNN, he responded to a question regarding Biden’s policy to exit US forces from Afghanistan. On September 11, 2021, the withdrawal will be complete. Analyst suggests that it could create a vacuum that leads to civil war or another Taliban takeover. Blinken in its response said that it is certainly a possible scenario.
There is no Option of Civil War in Afghanistan
Furthermore, he reiterated that “no one has an interest in the renewed civil war in Afghanistan. Certainly the Afghan people don’t.”. He further said that “Neither the Afghan government nor the Taliban do. None of Afghanistan’s neighbours does. Nor other countries in the region. Countries that have basically been free riders for the last 20 years, as we’ve been engaged there with our NATO allies and partners,” Blinken said as quoted by CNN.
In addition, Blinken in reference to countries in the region stated, “they are now going to have to decide. Given their interests in a relatively stable Afghanistan, given the influence that they have, whether they’re going to try to use that influence in a way that keeps things within the 40-yard lines.”
While continuing his interview, he answered another question. Blinken responded that “we are not disengaging from Afghanistan. We’re remaining deeply engaged in diplomacy in support of the Afghan government and its people. This includes Afghanistan’s development, economic assistance, humanitarian assistance and support for the security forces.”
On Tuesday, US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad confirmed before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on US policy with regards to Afghanistan that the lawmakers are questioning him about how Afghan women will be protected if the Taliban takes control after American troops leave the country.
Allied Forces to Exit Afghanistan
Moreover, Blinken informed that the US and allied forces are exiting the country as well as governments have asked to exit the country without wasting time on the other officials of the US and allied forces.
After Gen. McKenzie, top US commander in Afghanistan, Gen. Austin Scott Miller, this week assured the American and coalition forces have started the pulling-out process and they will continue to support their Afghan counterparts.
“All of our forces are now preparing to retrograde,” Miller told reporters in Kabul. “The notification day will be the first of May but at the same time as we start taking local actions, we have already begun that.” He further stated that he has “a set of orders” and he has “some very clear objectives.”
