The United States and Britain said on Thursday they would send thousands of troops to Afghanistan to protect and help evacuate civilians, as the Taliban stood poised for their two biggest military victories since they began a broad offensive in May.
JOHN KIRBY: "The president has ordered the reduction of civilian personnel at our embassy in Kabul." The United States on Thursday urged U.S. citizens to leave Afghanistan immediately and said it was significantly reducing staff at its embassy in Kabul, as Taliban fighters continued their rapid advance across the country.
Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said the U.S. was also sending 3,000 additional troops to Afghanistan in the next 24 to 48 hours to assist at the airport.
REPORTER: "So, are you concerned that they're going to be under attack?" KIRBY: "Our commanders will have the right of self-defense and any attack upon our forces will be met with a swift and appropriate response." News of the embassy drawdown, first reported by Reuters, is one of the most worrying signs for the Biden administration about the security situation and the failure of the Afghan government to protect key cities.
On Thursday, the country's second and third largest cities were on the verge of being captured by the Taliban.
On the same day, the militant group also established a foothold in the strategic city of Ghazni, some 90 miles away from Kabul.
NED PRICE: "This is not abandonment.
This is not an evacuation." State Department spokesman Ned Price on Thursday insisted that the embassy in Kabul remains open but that staff would shrink to a "core diplomatic presence." PRICE: "This is about doing all we can to ensure the safety and security of our personnel as we reduce the size of our civilian footprint in Kabul." Earlier, a notice on the embassy's website urged U.S. citizens to leave the country immediately using available commercial flight options, citing the deteriorating security conditions.
Meanwhile, the U.S. military mission in Afghanistan is set to end on Aug.
31, and roughly 650 troops are currently in the country to protect the airport and embassy.
A U.S intelligence assessment this week said the Taliban could isolate Kabul within 30 days and take it over in 90.
Tragic Incident: One person dead and twelve injured as Afghan Air Force Mi17 helicopter encounters technical issues during a rescue operation in central Afghanistan's Ghor province.
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The death toll from flooding in northern Afghanistan rose to 315, with over 1,600 injured, according to the Taliban's Ministry for Refugees. The UN's World Food Programme reported similar figures, with Baghlan province being the worst-hit, witnessing over 1,000 homes destroyed. The floods, caused by heavy rains, affected several provinces including Badakhshan, Ghor, and Herat. Zabihullah Mujahid, Taliban's spokesperson, described the floods as calamitous, resulting in significant financial losses and a substantial number of casualties. Relief efforts, including the distribution of fortified biscuits, are underway to aid survivors.
#AfghanistanFlashFloods #FlashFloodsAfghanistan #AfghanistanFloodVideo #Afghanistan #FlashFloods #VillagesDestroyed #NaturalDisaster #EmergencyResponse #ClimateCrisis #DisasterFootage #WatchNow #GlobalAwareness #FloodAlert
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Devastating floods in Baghlan, Afghanistan, caused by heavy rains, left over 100 injured and at least 50 dead. The death toll could rise further, with over 150 people stranded. Rescue efforts face challenges due to a shortage of night vision lights in helicopters. The floods submerged homes and properties across multiple districts.
#Afghanistan #Afghanistanfloods #AfghanistanRains #Baghlan #Floods #FloodsinAfghanistan #Worldnews #Afghanistannews #Oneinda #Oneindianews #oneindianews #oneindiaenglish #breakingnews #worldnews #englishnewslive #englishnews #latestnews #news
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Severe flooding in Afghanistan, triggered by seasonal rains, has claimed 33 lives and injured 27 in three days, according to a Taliban spokesperson. Flash floods hit Kabul and multiple provinces, damaging over 600 homes, killing about 200 livestock, and impacting 800 hectares of farmland and 85 kilometers of roads.
#Afghanistan #Afghanistanfloods #Afghanistanflashfloods #Afghanistannews #Taliban #Afghanistannews #Worldnews #Oneindia #Oneindianews
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The Biden administration closely monitors the probe into a deadly Israeli airstrike in Rafah, which the Israelis have labeled a tragic mistake. Despite the recent deaths, the U.S. maintains that this incident doesn't cross any red lines warranting a change in policy or military aid to Israel. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby addressed the situation, emphasizing that the tragic event doesn't qualify as a major ground operation that would lead to withholding aid. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
#USIsraelRelations #RafahAirstrike #MilitaryAid #Israel #BidenAdministration #JohnKirby #MiddleEastNews #OneindiaNews
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Indonesia's president-elect, Prabowo Subianto, has announced a significant commitment to support peace and humanitarian efforts in Gaza. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Prabowo endorsed US President Joe Biden’s three-phase proposal for a ceasefire and expressed Indonesia's readiness to send peacekeeping troops if required. Additionally, Indonesia is prepared to receive and treat up to 1,000 patients from Gaza. Discover more about Indonesia's proactive stance and efforts to contribute to global peace in this detailed report.
#Indonesia #GazaCeasefire #IsraelHamasWar #IndonesianMuslims #PrabowoSubianto #ShangriLaDialogue #JoeBiden #Oneindia
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In a significant development, U.S. President Joe Biden revealed that Israel has proposed a "roadmap" to terminate its nearly eight-month-long conflict in the Gaza Strip. In a speech from the White House on Friday, Biden outlined Israel's three-phase plan, which aims to cease hostilities and pave the way for peace and reconstruction. The initial phase of Israel's offer involves a six-week period during which Israeli forces will withdraw from all populated areas in Gaza. This phase also includes a comprehensive ceasefire and the release of numerous hostages, including women, the elderly, and the wounded, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
#Hamas #IsraelCeasefireDeal #IsraelHamasCeasefire #BidenHamasCeasefire #AllEyesOnRafah #CeasefireDeal #GazaConflict #MiddleEastPeace #HostageExchange #IsraelGaza #PeaceNegotiations #WarInGaza #HumanitarianCrisis #ConflictResolution #InternationalRelations #DiplomaticEfforts #PeaceProposal #GazaWar2024 #CeasefireAgreement
VP Kamala Harris, Presides Over Senate, to Pass Afghanistan Evacuee Bill.
VP Kamala Harris, Presides Over Senate, to Pass Afghanistan Evacuee Bill.
On August 31, the Senate passed a bill to assist..
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