- NATO said that the takeover of the Taliban is to be attributed to weak leadership in Afghanistan.
- NATO stated that the Afghan leader failed to confront the insurgent group.
- The takeover of the Taliban caused the city of Kabul to collapse, and dozens of people tried to leave.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Tuesday that NATO was surprised by the speed of the Taliban’s victory in Afghanistan, but blamed the “tragedy” on the Afghan leaders.
“In the end, Afghan political leaders failed to stand up against the Taliban and failed to achieve the peaceful solution that the Afghans desperately wanted,” he said.
“The defeat of the Afghan leader led to the tragedy we are witnessing today.”
Stoltenberg told reporters that the alliance is currently working to ensure the safety of NATO’s remaining civilian personnel and Afghan employees in Afghanistan.
Quoting | World leaders react to Taliban takeover of Afghanistan
After the resistance of the Western-backed government and its troops trained by the United States and NATO collapsed, the Taliban rebels occupied the Afghan capital over the weekend.
The staff of the Western Embassy has been relocated to the city’s airport, which is protected by U.S. guards deployed in the Allied retreat.
“NATO has been working day and night to maintain the operations of Kabul International Airport,” Stoltenberg said after meeting with NATO senior diplomats who are members of the alliance.
Timeline | Taliban occupy Kabul
“Approximately 800 NATO civilian personnel still perform key functions, including air traffic control, fuel and communications, despite very challenging circumstances.”
“I would also like to thank the armed forces of NATO allies-especially Turkey, the United States and the United Kingdom-for their vital role in protecting the airport.
Stoltenberg said that Ambassador Stefano Pontkovo, NATO’s senior civilian representative in Afghanistan, will stay at the airport to “coordinate and assist in the evacuation” of NATO staff and Afghan employees.
“The Taliban must respect and promote the safe departure of all those who wish to leave the airport, and roads and border crossings must be open,” he said.
“All Afghan men, women and children should live safe and dignified lives.”
