Washington, 1 September 2021 (TDI): Secretary Antony Blinken says in his Twitter account that the United States military flights have ended and U.S. troops have departed Afghanistan. A new chapter in the United States’ involvement in Afghanistan has begun. It is one that leads to diplomacy. As of today, the US diplomatic presence in Kabul has been discontinued, and activities have been relocated to Doha, Qatar. For the time being, the U.S. will use this post in Doha to manage diplomacy with Afghanistan.
The US will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people. It will not flow through the government, but rather through independent organizations such as United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The United States expects that such efforts will not be hindered by the Taliban or anybody else.
Blinken stated that the USA will hold the Taliban to their commitment to freedom of movement for foreign nationals, visa holders, and at-risk Afghans. The international chorus on this is strong, and it will stay strong. Also, he said that the US continues to honor all those brave men and women, from the United States and many other countries, who risked or sacrificed their lives as part of this long mission in Afghanistan.
