Afghanistan Taliban Crisis LIVE: China Says Sanctions Against Taliban Not Productive
Afghanistan Crisis LIVE, August 24, Tuesday: The districts of Bano, Deh Saleh, Pul e-Hesar near Panjshir were taken by local militia groups last week, but they have been again captured by the Taliban
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Background
Afghanistan Crisis LIVE, August 24, Tuesday: The Taliban warned on Monday there would be "consequences" if the United States and its allies extend their presence in Afghanistan beyond next week, as chaos continued to overwhelm Kabul airport with tens of thousands of people still desperate to flee.
To oversee a chaotic airlift of foreigners and Afghans desperate to escape the return of the hardline Islamic regime, thousands of troops have poured back into Afghanistan and pressure is growing on Washington to extend an August 31 withdrawal deadline, reports AFP.
The Taliban were in position near the Panjshir valley and had retaken three districts in northern Afghanistan that fell to local militia groups last week, a spokesman said on Monday, as reported by Reuters.
The districts of Bano, Deh Saleh, Pul e-Hesar in the northern province of Baghlan were taken by local militia groups last week in one of the first signs of armed resistance to the Taliban since their seizure of the capital Kabul on August 15.
China Says Sanctions Against Taliban Not Productive
As the leaders of the G7 countries are set to meet on Tuesday to discuss the Afghan crisis and possible economic sanctions against the Taliban, China expressed reservations over imposing penalties, saying the US and its allies should learn lessons from the past and act prudently.
The Group of Seven leaders from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States are due to hold a virtual meeting on Tuesday to discuss the situation arising after Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan and coordinate international response to the crisis.
Afghanistan's Hazaras Call On Taliban To Set Up Inclusive Govt
Afghanistan's Hazaras, a Shiite minority, are calling on the Taliban to set up an inclusive government in which all ethnic groups would have a voice. Shiite leader Sayed Hussain Alimi Balkhi said the country's Shiite clerics have issued a declaration stating that a future parliament in Afghanistan should include members of different sects of Islam.
US Should Not Encourage Afghan Elite To Leave Country: Taliban Spokesperson
Taliban Spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid says US should not encourage the Afghan elite to leave the country. He also says that the Taliban are committed to resolving the problem in Panjshir peacefully: TOLOnews
CIA Director Holds Secret Meeting With Taliban Leader In Kabul, Says Report
CIA Director William J. Burns has recently held a secret meeting in Kabul with the Taliban’s de facto leader Abdul Ghani Baradar in the highest-level face-to-face encounter between the Taliban and the Biden administration ever since insurgents seized the Afghan capital, Washington Post reported quoted US officials familiar with the matter.
There is no official statement by the US on the meeting but it is most likely that the talks were on the sidelines of August 31 deadline for the US military to conclude its airlift of US citizens and Afghan allies.
Afghanistan Taliban Crisis: PM Modi speaks to Russian President Vladmir Putin over Afghanistan situation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, and the two leaders had a detailed discussion on the evolving situation in Afghanistan.
Modi tweeted, "Had a detailed and useful exchange of views with my friend President Putin on recent developments in Afghanistan. We also discussed issues on the bilateral agenda, including India-Russia cooperation against COVID-19. We agreed to continue close consultations on important issues."
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