President Biden Reveals ISIS-K Threat In Afghanistan, PM Johnson Asks For Guarantees From The Taliban

Western soldiers near Kabul airport, Afghanistan. (Twitter/@DefenceHQ)

JAKARTA - President Joe Biden has exposed the threat from the terrorist organization ISIS-K, during the evacuation process which the Taliban has given a deadline of August 31, with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson asking for security guarantees.

Speaking about the situation in Afghanistan from the White House Tuesday local time, President Biden said the ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K) militants are looking for ways to attack US troops and their allies in Afghanistan.

President Biden said he was determined to ensure that the evacuation was completed according to the Taliban's schedule and wishes of August 31. However, he knows about the increased risks that must be taken into account, including the danger of an attack by ISIS-K.

"Every day we are on the ground is another day, we know ISIS-K is trying to target airports and attack US and allied forces and innocent civilians," President Biden said, citing TASS Wednesday, August 25.

On the occasion President Biden emphasized that the completion of the mission by August 31 depended on continued coordination with the Taliban, including continued access for refugees to the airport.

Separately, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Tuesday that the Group of Developed Countries (G7) had approved a plan to establish communication with the Taliban.

The condition is that the Taliban must allow travel and ensure security, including for Afghans who wish to leave the country even after the August 31 deadline.

"What we've done today, the G7, is we've agreed on not only a common approach to dealing with evacuations, but also a roadmap for how we're going to engage with the Taliban," PM Johnson said after a virtual meeting of G7 leaders.

"The number one condition that we set as the G7 is, they have to guarantee passage through August 31 and beyond. Safe passage for those who want to leave," added PM Johnson.

Meanwhile, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid reiterated that anyone wishing to leave Afghanistan would be able to do so until August 31.

"We will not allow evacuation operations past August 31," he stressed.

Mujahid also said the road to Kabul's international airport had been closed and only foreign nationals were allowed to pass.

"We have closed the road to the airport and only let foreigners pass," said Mujahid.