Kabul Threatened To Fall Into Taliban Hands, US Deploys 3,000 Troops To Evacuate Embassy Staff

JAKARTA - The United States (US) authorities decided to evacuate their embassy staff in Kabul, Afghanistan, deploying 3,000 troops to assist in this process, as well as urging its citizens to leave the country.

The move comes in line with US intelligence analysis that says the Taliban could besiege Kabul within 30 days, and take over the nation's capital within 90 days.

"We've been evaluating the security situation on a daily basis to determine the best way to keep those serving at the embassy safe," State Department spokesman Ned Price said.

"We hope to withdraw the core diplomatic presence in Afghanistan in the coming weeks," he continued, adding the embassy was not closed. However, a person familiar with the matter said there was no guarantee that the embassy would remain open.

The withdrawal order is said to have been issued during President Joe Biden's meeting with security advisers on the Afghanistan issue, accepting the withdrawal recommendations submitted, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The decision to stay in the country may require the commitment of more US troops there to fight, the source said, as the United States wants to end its 20-year presence due to end in September.

However, the withdrawal decision casts new doubts on Washington's strategy to influence the Afghan peace process, by retaining diplomatic aid and personnel despite the troop withdrawal.

Government officials did not adjust the schedule, as President Biden ordered additional troops into Afghanistan to help secure the exit of civilian personnel. The first deployment to the airport in Kabul is expected within the next 24 to 48 hours, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said.

About 3,500 additional US troops will be sent to the region from Fort Bragg in North Carolina on standby if the situation worsens, as well as 1,000 personnel to help process Afghans through the special immigration process.

"I didn't know that we had many options left. What is left between Kabul and the Taliban?" said former US Ambassador to Afghanistan for the period 2005-2007 Ronald Neumann.

It is estimated that there are about 1,400 staff remaining at the US Embassy in Kabul. Officials said the staff reduction would be significant. Meanwhile, the military mission in Afghanistan will end on August 31, with about 650 troops remaining in the country to protect airports and embassies.

"The United States has told the Taliban directly that they will face consequences if the security of American citizens is threatened," said a source.

In addition to evacuating embassy staff, the Land of Uncle Sam yesterday asked its citizens to leave Afghanistan with commercial flight options available.

"The US Embassy urges US citizens to leave Afghanistan immediately using available commercial flight options," said a notice on the embassy's website, warning Americans about the mission's current capability to serve citizens.

"Given security conditions and staff reductions, the Embassy's ability to assist US citizens in Afghanistan is severely limited even in Kabul," the notice continued.