Afghanistan: London and Washington will send troops for evacuations
Pentagon spokesman John Kirby during a briefing on the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, Washington, August 12, 2021. AP - Andrew Harnik
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3 min
Faced with the advance of the Taliban in Afghanistan, the United Kingdom and the United States organize the evacuation of their nationals and Afghans who worked for them.
The two countries will send additional troops for this.
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With
Guilhem Delteil,
from the International service and our correspondent in New York,
Loubna Anaki
The arrival of these military reinforcements should begin in a few days.
600 soldiers will be sent by the United Kingdom.
But they don't come to take part in the fighting.
"
The security of British nationals, British military personnel and former Afghan personnel is our first priority,
" the Minister of Defense said in London on Thursday August 12th.
Their mission will be to ensure the security of the embassy in Kabul and the evacuation of Afghan nationals who have helped the United Kingdom.
The United States, for their part, will send 3,000 soldiers back to Afghanistan, thus quintupling their military presence even though they are in full disengagement from the country.
But for Washington too, this measure aims to secure the evacuations.
“
We believe this is the most prudent thing to do given the rapidly deteriorating security situation around Kabul.
I emphasize that these troops are deployed at the request of the State Department to ensure the safety and smooth conduct of the withdrawal of our civilian personnel, and to facilitate and expedite the processing of special visa applications.
It is a temporary mission with a specific objective.
Any attack against these troops will give rise to reprisals,
”said John Kirby, the Pentagon spokesman.
►
See also: Afghanistan: Kandahar and Herat fall into the hands of the Taliban
No re-engagement in the conflict
Repatriation flights will now be daily.
And the US administration insists: this is not a re-engagement in the conflict.
The airport will not be used to carry out strikes against the Taliban, assures the Pentagon.
For the moment, no country wants to engage in these fights.
Both Washington and Brussels are content to threaten the Taliban with international isolation if they take power by force.
► Also to listen
:
Afghanistan: "Nobody expected such a rapid advance of the Taliban" [International guest]
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