G7 discuss on Afghanistan: extension or earlier withdrawal?

The main focus of the G7 meeting on Afghanistan is whether the evacuations can continue after August 31st. But that depends above all on the USA – and they would prefer to leave even faster.

The heads of state and government of the seven leading western industrial nations as well as representatives of the EU are discussing the situation in Afghanistan at a special summit in London today. The Secretaries General of NATO and the United Nations should also take part. At the virtual meeting in the afternoon, in addition to the evacuation mission, the long-term development of the country should also be on the program, said the British government. It should also be about how the achievements of the past 20 years could be protected, especially with regard to the education of girls and the rights of women and minorities.

Biden decides

The question of whether the evacuations can continue beyond August 31 is likely to play a major role. It is clear to all participants that such a decision can be discussed in the context of the G7, but that this will primarily be a decision by US President Joe Biden – in consultation with the Taliban.

Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who will chair the meeting, wants to push for an extension at Biden, according to government information from London. Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said there were concrete military reasons for this: “The US has 6,000 soldiers there and if they leave, then we have to go too.”

Withdrawal sooner?

Biden had not categorically ruled out a continuation of the evacuation mission, but at the same time made it very clear that he hoped it would not be necessary. The British media are already speculating that planes will not be able to take off until August 31st to fly out Afghan aid workers, the British and representatives of aid organizations. It is possible that it will end on Wednesday or Thursday when the US begins to withdraw its own troops and it will only be possible to secure the airport to a limited extent.

The Taliban have already spoken out clearly against an extension of the deadline. It is a “red line,” said a spokesman. Postponing it would be tantamount to extending the military occupation of his country.

Almost 50,000 people flown out

The evacuations have recently picked up speed. A total of around 48,000 people have been flown out so far, as the White House said. Most of the evacuees are Afghans who once worked for US forces and their families. Thousands of them are to be accommodated at US bases in Germany and other European countries while their visa applications are being processed.

Federal government plans longer

In the meantime, the federal government tried to make evacuation flights possible for the time after the planned withdrawal of US troops. Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said that talks would be held with the USA, Turkey and the Taliban to ensure that the airport can continue to operate under civilian law. “We will have to and will continue to talk to the Taliban about this,” said Maas. After the US troops have withdrawn, they will play a special role in the operation of the airport. Currently, the situation at the airport is increasingly chaotic, the federal government does not recommend that people make their own way there, said Maas.

Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer expressed the hope that the Taliban would actually be ready to make concessions: “The Taliban know that without international support they run the risk of failure in this country too. Because then there is simply a very high level of dissatisfaction among the population will.” She also indicated that there could be financial incentives to extend the evacuations if necessary. If, according to the Defense Minister, “you have to pay a price for it, then I think it’s worth it”.

Call for more aid

In London it was said that Johnson would also call on the G7 leaders to increase their support for refugees and humanitarian aid. Britain had announced that it would double its development aid for Afghanistan to £ 286 million (around € 334 million), but the budget had only recently been drastically cut. In addition to Great Britain and Germany, the G7 countries also include the USA, France, Italy, Canada and Japan.