US seeks support to clean up Afghanistan mess

KABUL. – Now that the 24-hour countdown to the August 31 deadline for the US and its allies to leave Afghanistan has started, the US is seeking support from any forces that can help with the evacuation effort, including China and the UN Security Council, analysts said,

Noting that no matter whether the US can complete the evacuation work before the deadline, analysts said the current debacle resulting from the irresponsible withdrawal is too obvious to hide, not to mention the bloodshed and disgrace brought by the deaths of civilians in the recent drone attack.

Yesterday, the UN Security Council is expected to hold a meeting on the situation in Afghanistan, where one topic for discussion will be the Taliban’s reassurances that foreign nationals and eligible Afghans will be allowed to leave after the August 31 deadline.

Analysts said that as the final hour approaches and facing domestic and international pressure, the US has become more anxious and is seeking any possible support to help with the evacuation from Afghanistan.

By talking to regional countries, including China and Russia, and seeking UN support, the US is trying to shift its responsibilities in dealing with the messy situation in Afghanistan, said Liu Zhongmin, a professor at the Middle East Studies Institute of the Shanghai International Studies University.

Meanwhile, A US drone strike targeting a suicide bomber ended up killing 10 members of one family, including six children, surviving relatives have told the BBC.

The 10 were killed when a car parked at their home was struck by an explosion on Sunday. The US military said a vehicle carrying at least one person associated with the Afghan branch of the Islamic State group was targeted.

Some of those killed had previously worked for international organisations and held visas allowing them entry to the US.

The youngest child to be killed was two-year-old Sumaya, and the oldest child was 12-year-old Farzad. – Global Times/BBC.