On Thursday, the foreign ministers of the G7 nations urged the Taliban to secure safe passage for individuals attempting to leave Kabul, marking the group's first official comment on the crisis in Afghanistan. According to a statement from the British Foreign Office, the ministers "called on the Taliban to ensure safe passage for foreign nationals and Afghans wishing to leave." The statement added that G7 countries "are continuing efforts to do everything possible to evacuate vulnerable individuals from Kabul Airport."
The meeting was chaired by British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who is facing domestic criticism for his continued absence due to holidays and for "not being present" to make a phone call with his Afghan counterpart as the crisis developed. The ministers expressed "grave concern over reports of violent reprisals" and "discussed the importance of the international community providing safe and legal resettlement pathways."
The ministers "agreed to seek a comprehensive political settlement and secure life-saving humanitarian support and aid in Afghanistan and the region, to prevent further loss of life in Afghanistan and around the world due to terrorism."
On Thursday, Taliban checkpoints surrounded Kabul Airport amid growing fears of preventing Afghan citizens from accessing evacuation flights. Tens of thousands have attempted to flee Afghanistan since the Islamic group's takeover of the capital on Sunday and the withdrawal of U.S. forces after a 20-year military presence in the country.
