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The US on Tuesday ordered some staff at its embassy in Kabul to leave Afghanistan and advised US citizens there to do the same, because of threats including kidnappings, terrorism and Covid-19.
The travel advisory came only weeks after US President Joe Biden said the Pentagon would withdraw its troops from Afghanistan and end its two-decade mission to the country by mid-September.
The Department of State has approved Ordered Departure status at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul effective immediately. Read the consular alert message here: https://t.co/VKJghBzrIX – U.S. Embassy Kabul (@USEmbassyKabul) April 27, 2021
The US State Department notice ordered all “US government employees whose functions can be performed elsewhere” to leave the embassy.
Foreign force withdrawal is slated to begin on May 1, in line with an agreement with the Taliban in 2020. AFP/File
The commander of foreign forces in Afghanistan, US Army Gen Scott Miller, on Sunday said an orderly withdrawal of foreign forces and the handing over of military bases and equipment to the Afghan forces had begun.
Miller said he was acting on orders based on US President Joe Biden s decision to end America s longest war, deeming the prolonged and intractable battle in Afghanistan no longer aligned with American priorities.
Earlier this month Biden said he would withdraw troops from Afghanistan before September 11, the 20th anniversary of the militant attacks on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon that launched the Afghan war.
Top US commander in Afghanistan says steps to end military mission launched - World dawn.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from dawn.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.