Thousands of people raced to Kabul's airport Friday, struggling to get past crushing crowds, desperate for a flight out of Afghanistan and an escape from Taliban rule. Video / AP
The Taliban has backed claims it will not allow the US or its allies an extension to withdraw in an interview with an Afghan-Australian reporter.
Yalda Hakim, whose family fled Afghanistan on horseback when she was a baby before settling in Australia in the mid-1980s, spoke to Taliban spokesman Dr Suhail Shaheen for the BBC, who said an extension would be a "clear violation" of the Doha agreement.
The interview came just hours after the group said it has drawn a "red line" with the US and its allies and warned there will be "consequences" if the last troops are not out of Afghanistan by next week.
In the interview, the group told Sky News' Sally Lockwood in Doha that reports of Taliban violence is "all fake news".
The publication said it met with the group to discuss the future of Afghanistan but instead, Shaheen sent a "stark warning".
Sky News' Sally Lockwood interviewing a Taliban spokesman in Doha. Photo / Supplied
The evacuation deadline for the US military presence in the country had been set for the end of August but President Joe Biden has since said the withdrawal of troops by August 31 may be extended.
The US evacuated approximately 16,000 people in the last 24 hours, a jump from 11,000 people in 30 hours over the weekend. That included 18 aircraft from six commercial airlines.
The United States has evacuated approximately 37,000 people from Afghanistan since August 14 but the number of Americans still stranded in the country remains unknown.
In a Pentagon presser overnight spokesman John Kirby: "I'm going to leave it at several thousand".
Kirby admitted the number was vague but only because the number was "fluid".
Five flights carrying evacuees have already landed in Washington DC but Biden revealed discussions "among us and the military about extending."
A Taliban spokesperson tells Sky's @sallylockwood that there would be 'consequences' if the US chose to stay in the country after the 31 August deadline.
The Taliban has said it will react if the military deadline is not respected, despite the date looming and problematic evacuations stalling the process.
"It's a red line," Shaheen said.
He said no extension will be allowed and that "if they extend it that means they are extending occupation while there is no need for that."
"If the US or UK were to seek additional time to continue evacuations – the answer is no. Or there would be consequences.
"It will create mistrust between us. If they are intent on continuing the occupation it will provoke a reaction.
"They occupied our country. If we occupy your country. What you will say to me? What if I killed your people in your country what you will say?
"I think all people suffered a lot. Bloodshed. Destruction. Everything. But we say the past is the past. Part of our past history. Now we want to focus on the future."
MG Taylor: As of this morning, 25 U.S. Military C-17s, 3 U.S. Military C-130s and 61 charter/commercial flights departed Kabul. The total passenger count for those flights was approximately 16,000. Of that number, the U.S. military transported just under 11,000 personnel. pic.twitter.com/wsZYBAa3Mh
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Australia's Foreign Minister Marise Payne said Australia was "part of the discussions" over the prospect of the United States extending its withdrawal deadline.
"If they are to be extended, we are absolutely ready to support a continuing operation at Hamid Karzai International Airport," she said.
Meanwhile Britain's Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, is reportedly set to "personally plead with Joe Biden" at an emergency G7 meeting to extend the deadline, citing the need to allow more people to flee.
Biden is facing increasing pressure despite the threats to extend with the European Union and the UK saying it would be impossible to get everyone out by then.
But with the Taliban digging in, BBC political presenter Andrew Neil said "the nightmare in Kabul is only just beginning".
265 people were evacuated out of Kabul by the UK Armed Forces on August 21, 2021. Photo / AP
People clinging to planes 'weren't scared'
Referring to the images of desperate Afghans clinging onto planes, Shaheen said: "I assure you it is not about being worried or scared.
"They want to reside in Western countries and that is a kind of economic migration because Afghanistan is a poor country and 70 per cent of the people of Afghanistan live under the line of poverty so everyone wants to resettle in Western countries to have a prosperous life.
Hundreds of people run alongside a U.S. Air Force C-17 transport plane, some climbing on the plane, as it moves down a runway of the international airport, in Kabul, Afghanistan. Photo / AP
Shaheen described recent reports of Taliban threats and violence as "fake news" and said "I can assure you there are many reports by our opponents claiming what is not based on realities."
Last week, the Taliban's "behind-the-scenes voice" appeared for the first time before the world's press, holding the militant group's first press conference since its takeover of Afghanistan.
The group held its first press conference in Kabul, with notorious Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahed claiming "security and peace" is its top priority and urging local businesses to carry on to ensure a "smooth transfer of power".
“The foreign military withdrawal should be complete” by 31 August
Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaken says if foreign troops haven’t abided by their commitment then the group will be left “awaiting the decision of our leadership”
In the latest interview, the Taliban continued to defend their position, that despite fears that the group's hard line Islamic rule will include oppression of women, they will be able to access higher education under its policies.
"They will lose nothing. Only if they have no hijab, they will have a hijab… women are required to have the same rights as you have in your country but with a hijab."
Taliban fighters patrol inside the city of Kandahar, southwest Afghanistan. Photo / AP
"Now, women teachers have resumed work. Lost nothing. Female journalists they have resumed their work. Lost nothing."
The rush to leave Kabul has seen more harrowing scenes and killed at least eight people.
One Afghan was killed and three others were injured in a dawn firefight that according to the German military erupted between Afghan guards and unknown assailants.
German and American troops "participated in further exchange of fire", the German army said in a statement.
