CIA chief holds secret meeting with Taliban leader in Kabul

CIA director William Burns met with the Taliban’s top political leader in Kabul amid the ongoing effort to evacuate people fleeing their takeover of Afghanistan, a US official said Tuesday.

Burns’ visit on Monday came ahead of a planned meeting among leaders from the Group of Seven nations about the crisis in Afghanistan and a warning from UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet of credible reports of “summary executions” and restrictions on women in areas under Taliban control.

Bachelet urged the Human Rights Council to take “bold and vigorous action” to monitor the rights situation in Afghanistan in the wake of the Taliban’s stunning takeover, as she sought to ensure that international attention on the country doesn’t wane.

Burns travelled to Kabul on Monday to meet Abdul Ghani Baradar. The details of their discussions aren’t known yet.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said that the US should complete its evacuation and withdraw from Afghanistan by 31 August. This date was set by the Biden administration for the withdrawal of all American troops.

According to an AP report, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said his group will accept “no extensions” to the deadline. He says life is returning to normal in the country but chaos at the airport remains a problem. Many Afghans are desperate to flee the Taliban takeover of the country. “The US should leave the country by August 31st,” Mujahid said during a press conference in Kabul today as cited by Tolo News.

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden has decided to stick with the 31 August deadline for withdrawing troops from Afghanistan, according to a senior White House official.

Biden made the decision mindful of the security risks in remaining the country longer, CNN reported citing the official. Biden has asked for contingency plans in case he determines at a later date the US needs to remain in the country for longer.

Two days ago, Biden had informed that he is in discussions with his military officials regarding the extension of the evacuation mission in Afghanistan, beyond the 31 August deadline.

The US is flying thousands of people out of Afghanistan every day from Kabul airport. The US forces took control of the airport last week to evacuate its citizens after the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan.

So far, the US has evacuated of approximately 58,700 people since 14 August, and 63,900 since the end of July.