America’s decision to withdraw troops was abrupt, says Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani

A social worker addresses the Afghan women gathered at a hall in Kabul on Monday against the claimed human rights violations on women by the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. Pic/AFP

Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani on Monday blamed the country's deteriorating security on the US deciding "abruptly" to withdraw its troops.

"The reason for our current situation is that the decision was taken abruptly," he told the Afghan Parliament, adding he had warned Washington that the withdrawal would have "consequences," reported Tolo News. President Ghani said in a special session of the National Assembly that Afghanistan was facing a test of survival and the country must be mobilised to pass this test successfully. Ghani also announced the beginning of a six-month security plan to improve the security situation in the country.

He announced that the period of military presence in Afghanistan is over and it is now the responsibility of the Afghans to determine their future. President Ghani in his speech said the present time offered an opportunity to build peace and harmony in the country and it is now the time for unity and solidarity.

Addressing the Taliban, President Ghani said, "Enmity with Afghans is serious" and they "will not surrender to any group".

Also read: Afghan President slams Taliban; rockets target Kabul palace

US expands efforts to evacuate Afghans

The Biden administration on Monday expanded its efforts to evacuate at-risk Afghan citizens from Afghanistan. The State Department said it is widening the scope of Afghans eligible for refugee status in US to include current and former employees of US-based news organisations and other relief groups.

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