카불 공항 미군 감축 시작…IMF 이어 세계은행도 아프간에 지출 중단
The U.S. military has reportedly began reducing its presence in Afghanistan.
The few who remain now will assist with the evac mission until the August deadline.
Meanwhile, the World Bank has joined the IMF in freezing aid funding to Afghanistan over concerns the Taliban takeover would halt developmental prospects.
Kim Ji-yeon has the latest.
Several hundred U.S. troops have reportedly left Afghanistan as President Joe Biden decided not to extend the August 31st evacuation deadline.
Multiple media outlets in the U.S. cited Pentagon press secretary John Kirby Tuesday their departure will have no immediate impact on security operations at the international airport in Kabul.
The Washington Post reported the number of American troops remaining in Afghanistan is currently estimated to have been reduced to five-thousand from five-thousand-800.
So far, American troops and allied forces have airlifted more than 70-thousand people from Afghanistan after the Taliban took control of Kabul on August 15th.
President Biden says he's confident evacuations could be complete by the August 31st deadline in accordance to an agreement struck with the Taliban last year.
He cited the threat to U.S. troops in Kabul as one of the main reasons for sticking to the withdrawal date.
The Taliban, meanwhile, has blocked Afghans going to Kabul airport and is reportedly ordering offiicals at the country's finance ministry and central bank to resume work as the Islamist group faces severe shortage of cash reserves.
Citing concerns of the Taliban's takeover in impacting development prospects, especially for women, the World Bank halted billions of U.S. dollars' of funding for development projects to the country Tuesday, just days after the International Monetary Fund suspended payments to Afghanistan.
To dispel concerns, a Taliban spokesperson promised to guarantee the safety of Afghans, including those who had worked as interpreters for foreign troops.
But said the order does not apply to women, who should stay home for now as the group's fighters haven't been trained on how to deal with women or how to speak to them.
"The Islamic Emirate is trying to reduce the crowds in Kabul airport, and I once again assure the people who have gathered there that they can return to their homes and live a peaceful life. We assure people that there is no danger to anyone."
Contrary to his remarks, United Nations' high commissioner for human rights, Michelle Bachelet said there is "credible evidence" the Taliban is carrying out swift executions against civilians and Afghan security forces in provincial areas.
Kim Ji-yeon, Arirang News.
#Afghanistan #WorldBank #UStroop
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2021-08-25 22:00 (KST)
