<Anchor> In
Afghanistan, where the withdrawal of U.S. forces has begun in earnest, the Taliban, an Islamic militant group, is rapidly taking over major cities. As they approach the capital, Kabul, Western countries are evacuating their own citizens one after another.
This is reporter Ko Jung-hyun.
<Reporter>
AFP
news
agency reported that the Islamic militant group Taliban took control of Puli Alam, the capital of Rogar province, 50 kilometers from the Afghan capital, Kabul.
Up to 17 of the 34 capital cities appear to have fallen into the hands of the Taliban, including the fall of the second metropolis, Kandahar.
At this rate, there is a warning that the capital, Kabul, could also be captured within 90 days.
Residents of Kabul are trembling with anxiety.
[Jamanudin Khan/Resident of Kabul: The Taliban ruled Kabul in the past, not for the benefit of the people. People think they will do the same.]
Western countries like the US and UK are sending warning messages to the Taliban, but they are pulling their own people, including embassy staff in Kabul, one after another.
The United States and the United Kingdom have deployed special forces at Kabul Airport to ensure the safe evacuation of their citizens.
[John Kirby / U.S. Department of Defense Spokesperson: U.S. forces deployed to the front of Afghanistan continue to provide defense forces to Kabul Airport and the embassy. ]
Denmark and Norway plan to close their embassies in Kabul soon, while Finland is preparing charters to pick up its own citizens.
NATO said that "our goal is still to support Afghan government forces as much as possible," but it is said that an evacuation plan has been drawn up in an emergency meeting with its allies.