WASHINGTON: Washin­gton has advised American citizens living in Afghanistan to leave the country immediately and offered “repatriation loans” to those who do not have the resources to fly out, the US media reported on Sunday.

The report quoted from a security alert sent to Americans still in Afghanistan, reminding them that the US embassy’s ability to help them “is extremely limited” due to security conditions and reduced staffing.

The alert encouraged US citizens to fly out on commercial flights and offered repatriation loans for those who can’t afford to buy tickets.

Earlier this year, the State Department ordered government employees at the US embassy in Kabul to leave if they can work elsewhere.

The US embassy in Kabul condemned the Taliban’s seizure of several provincial capitals in a statement on Saturday, adding that the militants’ “violent new offensive against Afghan cities” was unacceptable.

“These Taliban actions to forcibly impose its rule are unacceptable and contradict its claim to support a negotiated settlement in the Doha peace process,” the US embassy said.

The embassy urged the Taliban to accept “a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire and to engage fully in peace negotiations to end the suffering of the Afghan people”.

Only such talks could “pave the way for an inclusive political settlement that benefits all Afghans and ensures that Afghanistan does not again serve as a safe haven for terrorists”, the embassy added.

While reporting the call for all Americans to leave Afghanistan immediately, the US media warned that this would “further undermine the already weakened morale of Afghans”.

The media also noted that the militants launched their offensive soon after a peace deal with the United States in last year and were encouraged by the Biden administration’s announcement about withdrawal of all troops from the country by the end of this month.

Published in Dawn, August 9th, 2021