The United States began evacuating its embassy in the Afghan capital Kabul on Sunday as the Taliban continued to expand its control over more Afghan cities and approached the capital. Two U.S. officials told Reuters that the United States started the evacuation of diplomats from its embassy in Kabul. One official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated: "We have a small group of people leaving right now as we speak, the majority of staff are prepared to leave... the embassy continues to operate."
Most diplomats were expected to begin their evacuation on Sunday, as the Taliban fighters made rapid advances that brought them to the gates of Kabul within days. U.S. President Joe Biden had announced on Saturday an increase in the number of American troops sent to Afghanistan to assist in the evacuation of embassy staff and Afghan civilians. Biden warned the Taliban, which continued its push towards Kabul, against hindering this mission, according to AFP.
After consulting with his national security team, Biden decided to send "around 5,000" U.S. soldiers, which is 2,000 more than previously planned. The U.S. president clarified that these soldiers would be deployed in Afghanistan to organize the evacuation and conclude the U.S. mission after 20 years of field operations. He warned the Taliban, stating that any actions "endangering American personnel and our mission would face a swift and strong U.S. military response," according to AFP. Biden's remarks came after the rebels captured Mazar-i-Sharif, the largest city in northern Afghanistan, before taking control of Jalalabad.
