Kabul, Afghanistan-Taliban crisis LIVE News update: In Panjshir Valley, a rebel leader said he hoped to hold peaceful talks with the Taliban but that his forces were ready to fight.
In this Aug. 19, 2021 file photo, Taliban fighters patrol in Kabul, Afghanistan. (AP)
Afghanistan-Taliban crisis Live Updates: A firefight broke out between unidentified gunmen, Western security forces and Afghan guards at the North Gate of Kabul airport on Monday, Germany’s armed forces said, as thousands of Afghans and foreigners thronged the airport, seeking to flee Taliban rule.
One Afghan guard was killed and three others were injured in the battle, which also involved U.S. and German forces, the German military said on Twitter, without specifying whether the dead Afghan was one of the Taliban fighters deployed to guard the airport.
Australia has said that it is willing to assist with evacuations from Afghanistan after Aug. 31 if the United States decides to delay its withdrawal. Britain, meanwhile, is planning to push world leaders to consider new sanctions on the Taliban at the G7 meet on Tuesday, sources told Reuters. US President Joe Biden indicated he would support Britain’s push for sanctions if the Taliban committed abuses.