The Taliban has received lists of names of people the United States wanted to evacuate from Afghanistan. The list includes the names of Afghan allies of the United States.
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The reaction among officials and politicians in Washington and the US military is strong, writes Politico.
– They have put these Afghans on a death list. It is terrible and shocking, says an officer to Politico.
The list that the Americans gave to the Taliban also contains the names of American citizens and Afghans who have been granted a residence permit in the United States.
Politicians in Congress were briefed on this list in a meeting where they received secret information. Three officials in Congress and other parts of the state administration have told parts of this anonymously to Politico.
US and allied forces control Kabul airport, but the Taliban control the rest of the city and country.
In the chaos outside the airport walls and barbed wire fences, the Taliban is responsible for security. Therefore, US officials chose to give the Taliban the lists of names so that those who were to evacuate the United States could gain access to the areas they and their allies control.
–– Daily communication
“Officials have been in daily communication with Taliban leaders about who they should let in,” John Kirby, a spokesman for the Pentagon, told reporters earlier this week.
The Taliban has a long history of brutal killings of Afghans who have collaborated with the United States and other countries. Therefore, the release of the lists of names led to what Politico calls a revolt behind the scenes by members of Congress and military officials.
During the meeting in Congress, officials in the Biden administration defended cooperation with the Taliban, writes Politico.
Officials said this was the best way to keep Americans and Afghans safe. The cooperation was to prevent shootings between American soldiers at the airport and Taliban fighters.
– From door to door
There have already been reports that the Taliban are going door to door, seeking out journalists and Afghans who have worked for foreign forces and embassies.
General Frank McKenzie, commander of the US Central Command, and Rear Admiral Peter Vasely, who heads the US forces on the ground in Afghanistan, are said to have referred to the Taliban as “our Afghan partners”, writes Politico.
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