The US Embassy in Kabul has said it will remain open with a robust diplomatic presence in Kabul and there is no plan to close the Embassy.
“As directed by President Biden, we will continue to have a robust diplomatic presence in Kabul to carry out the range of work we do with the government and people of Afghanistan,” the Embassy said in a series of tweet posted late Sunday, July 05.
On Friday, July 02, the Wall Street Journal reported that the US officials have already started working on a “possible evacuation” of the US Embassy in Kabul in case the security situation may deteriorate in Afghanistan.
“It’s not the plan, it’s a contingency. It’s still squarely in the box of just-in-case,” a US official was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, the US embassy has confirmed it is constantly planning for contingencies and how to mitigate the risks to the Americans and the country’s programs in Afghanistan. The embassy added that they know about the security challenges in Afghanistan and will adjust their presence accordingly.
“We are confident that we can conduct our work in a safe manner to the benefit of Afghanistan and the bilateral relationship,” the US diplomatic mission stated, assimilating its recent security plans in Kabul to those developed for all other US missions overseas.
The embassy has once again reiterated on the US commitment that it will continue to provide diplomatic, humanitarian, and security assistance programs.
Suspension of consular operations in Mazar-e-Sharif
A local official in Mazar-e-Sharif, capital of the northern Balkh province, confirmed to Kabul Now yesterday, July 04, eight diplomatic missions have either suspended or limited their consular operation in the province.
Russia, Turkey, Iran, and Germany have suspended operation of their consulates in the province. Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and India have stopped issuing visas for Afghans in this province.
Reports about suspension of some diplomatic mission and a possible evacuation of US embassy are coming as the Taliban have increased their attacks to make territorial gains across the country. The militant groups has overrun more than 70 districts over the last month.
