The sudden takeover of the capital, Kabul, caused thousands of people to flee to the city’s airport, which is still being held by the U.S. military, desperate to get on evacuation flights.
Kabul was gripped by panic. Helicopters raced overhead throughout the day to evacuate personnel from the U.S. Embassy. Smoke rose near the compound as staff destroyed important documents, and the American flag was lowered. Several other Western missions also prepared to pull their people out.
However, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) which aims to safeguard the freedom and security of all its members by political and military means.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters in his first news conference since the fall of Kabul to the Taliban. “Those now taking power have the responsibility to ensure that international terrorists do not regain a foothold.”
The Taliban must not let Afghanistan become a breeding ground for terrorism again, NATO said on Tuesday, warning that the alliance after its withdrawal still has the military power to strike any terrorist group from a distance.
“We have the capabilities to strike terrorist groups from a distance if we see that terrorist groups again try to establish themselves and plan, organize attacks against NATO allies and their countries,” he added.
A female Afghan journalist on the verge of tears asked Stoltenberg what the West would do for all those vulnerable back in her country, leaving the NATO chief visibly moved.
Responding, the NATO Secretary-General, Stoltenberg called on the Taliban to facilitate the departure of all those who want to leave the country and said that Western defence allies had agreed to send more evacuation planes to Kabul.
At the same time, he expressed frustration with the Afghan leadership, blaming it for the Taliban’s easy success.
“Part of the Afghan security forces fought bravely,” Stoltenberg said. “But they were unable to secure the country because ultimately the Afghan political leadership failed to stand up to the Taliban and to achieve the peaceful solution that Afghans desperately wanted.”
