On August 30, 24 hours ahead of schedule, the United States they have completed the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan. The last Americans to leave the country were Ambassador Ross Wilson and General Chris Donahue. Thus ends an occupation that began to flush out ISIS in the aftermath of the attacks of 11 September and then continued for twenty years.
The President Joe Biden he announced that this evening he will speak on television to explain how the decision to leave Afghanistan in the hands of the Taliban was reached. "I will explain to the American people - she promised - why I did not extend our presence beyond August 31st".
At this point, the Taliban are in control of the Kabul airport and they can manage the flow of expatriations at will. However, Biden said he expected the regime to let anyone who wants to leave the country leave: "The international community expects the Taliban to keep their promises - concluded the number one of the White House - They have undertaken to guarantee safe passage and the world will respect the commitments”.
Meanwhile, the UN Security Council approved a resolution calling for the protection of Afghan civilians and Kabul airport. A weak text to say the least, in which - to the opposition of China and Russia, who in the end abstained - there is no mention of the “safe zone” either proposed by France and Germany to ensure that refugees can leave the country safely.
The United Nations is limited to reiterating "the importance of supporting human rights, including those of women", and asking the Taliban to step up their efforts to provide humanitarian assistance, allowing for a "safe" exit from Afghanistan. Good wishes, but no concrete action.
"We will review cooperation programs to channel as many resources as possible towards humanitarian aid, in particular towards needy countries in the region", said the Italian foreign minister, Luigi Di Maio, connected by the Crisis Unit of the Farnesina.
