How Did the World React to Latest Afghan Developments?
5 Min Read
Between political and diplomatic stances, this is how the world reacted to the situation in Afghanistan after President Ashraf Ghani left the country.
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Smoke rising over Kandahar, Kabul, after fighting between the Taliban and Afghan government forces (AP)
Pakistan
The Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that it is closely following developments in Afghanistan. The ministry issued a statement Sunday, saying Pakistan would continue supporting all efforts for a political solution in Afghanistan, expressing hope that all parties to the conflict would cooperate to solve the internal political crisis.
"The Pakistani embassy in Kabul is willing to provide support for its nationals, the Afghani people, and the diplomatic parties in Afghanistan," added the statement.
Turkey
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan saw that Pakistan has duties to bring peace and stability to Afghanistan, "in which conflicts have intensified recently."
"Turkey will make all necessary efforts for stability in Afghanistan," Erdogan added, noting that Turkey is currently facing a large migration wave from Afghanistan through Iran.
United States Embassy in Kabul
The US embassy staff in Kabul were urgently transported to Hamid Karzai International Airport, in which the United States deployed thousands of military personnel, according to Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
CBS News reported that the United States Ambassador to Afghanistan left the embassy in Kabul and headed to the Hamid Karzai International Airport, carrying the US flag.
The US embassy called on all its nationals to take shelter and not go to the embassy or airport, as reports said the airport was under fire. The embassy announced that it ceased all consular activities.
Iran
Former Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohammad Javad Zarif, took to Twitter to say: "Violence and war, like occupation, never solve problems."
"Iran welcomes the announcement by Hamid Karzai on forming a Coordination Council by Afghan leaders. We hope that it can lead to dialogue and a peaceful transition in Afghanistan. Iran stands ready to continue its peacemaking efforts," Zarif added.
Saeed Khatibzadeh, the spokesman for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the Iranian embassy in Kabul had not been closed; however, its activities had been reduced. "Our diplomats in the Iranian mission in Herat are also fine," he reassured.
European Union
The European Union announced that it was "very urgently" working on ensuring the safety of its Afghan staff in Kabul.
In turn, Italy decided to evacuate its Afghan diplomats, nationals, and collaborators from Afghanistan.
The Italian Ministry of Defense announced that its first flight would land in Afghanistan on Sunday to transport all personnel out of the country.
The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that staff was being transferred to the airport, as other nations were in the process of doing, but could not give numbers or timing.
Italy - one of the most involved Western powers in Afghanistan - withdrew its last soldiers in July as part of the NATO withdrawal.
Germany transported its diplomatic staff to Hamid Karzai International Airport in preparation for their evacuation from Afghanistan.
"We are doing everything to enable our citizens and our former local staff to leave Afghanistan within the next days," added German Minister of Foreign Affairs, Heiko Maas.
German Minister of Defense Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, said Saturday, that the German army is helping in the evacuations, clarifying that Germany has less than 100 embassy staffers in Kabul.
In a similar vein, the French presidency asserted that France is doing its best to ensure the security of all nationals in Afghanistan.
The Élysée Palace, the French Presidential palace, told AFP its priority in the coming hours is the security of all French nationals who have been called to evacuate Afghanistan, as well as that of the French and Afghan forces.
Canada
Canadian Foreign Minister Marc Garneau made a statement saying, "The situation in Afghanistan is rapidly evolving and poses serious challenges to our ability to ensure the safety and security of our mission. After consulting with Canada’s Ambassador to Afghanistan, the decision was made to temporarily suspend our diplomatic operations in Kabul."
"As always, our priority in these situations is ensuring the safety and security of Canadian personnel. They are now safely on their way back to Canada," he added.
Russia
Quoting the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, TASS said Moscow is yet to acknowledge the Taliban militants as a new political authority in Afghanistan.
Russia said it is willing to cooperate with the interim government; however, it does not recognize the Taliban as a legitimate authority.
The Russian embassy in Kabul announced that it would keep working as usual, because the staff had taken precautions in advance to tighten security.
United Kingdom
British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Dominic Raab, shared his deep concerns about the future of Afghanistan with Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi. He said they "agreed it is critical that the international community is united in telling the Taliban that the violence must end and human rights must be protected."
NATO
A NATO official told Reuters, Sunday, that the alliance is maintaining its diplomatic presence in Kabul and helping to keep the city's airport running, as Taliban militants entered the capital.
"NATO is constantly assessing developments in Afghanistan," he added. The official also asserted, "The security of NATO's personnel is paramount, and NATO will continue to adjust as necessary."
