The United Kingdom has firmly denied allegations that it requested the Abbey Gate at Kabul Airport remain open during the recent tragic suicide bombing. Reports by Politico suggested that U.S. forces extended the gate's closure to facilitate a faster evacuation of British personnel. However, UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab dismissed these claims as \"just not true,\" emphasizing that there was no push to keep the gate open.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson's office echoed this sentiment, distancing British officials from the disputed reports. Speaking to Sky News, Raab highlighted that over 17,000 individuals, including British nationals and Afghan staff, have been evacuated from Afghanistan since mid-August. Despite these efforts, a small number of British citizens, estimated in the \"low hundreds,\" remain in the country, raising concerns about their safety as the U.S. completes its troop withdrawal.
The suicide attack at the Abbey Gate, which resulted in the loss of at least 170 civilians and 13 American troops, underscores the volatile situation in Afghanistan. Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen declared that Afghanistan has \"gained full independence\" following the departure of U.S. forces. This assertion has left millions uncertain about the nation's future, which has been marred by over four decades of conflict.
Global powers are currently assessing their strategies in engaging with the Taliban, whose influence appears to have strengthened post-U.S. invasion. Johnson's spokesperson noted that it is \"too early to dictate if and how we would work with the Taliban going forward,\" adding that future cooperation would hinge on the group's actions.
The United Nations has issued warnings about a looming humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, with potential famine threatening millions. The recent chaos has disrupted the Afghan economy, leading to long queues at banks and doubts regarding the Taliban's access to foreign reserves. As the world watches, the urgent need for humanitarian assistance and sustainable solutions becomes increasingly clear.
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UK denies report over Kabul bombing as world weighs Taliban response
cgtn.com
