The Taliban has warned of dire repercussions if the US-led military departure deadline of August 31 is delayed.
FILE - In this Aug. 19, 2021 file photo, Taliban fighters display their flag on patrol in Kabul, Afghanistan. Twin tragedies on opposite sides of the world are piling misery on people that have seen far more than their share. In Afghanistan, a group of gunmen known for sadistic tyranny rocketed back into power after 20 years as Western and Afghan leaders walked away with a sad shrug. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul, File)

Before an emergency G7 meeting in Afghanistan, the Taliban warned Monday that there would be consequences if the United States and the United Kingdom seek an extension of the August 31 deadline to withdraw US-led troops from the country devastated by the war.

Taliban spokesman Dr. Suhail Shaheen stated that the month-end deadline was a ‘red line’ as any extension would imply a prolonged occupation of the country.

President Biden announced that on August 31, they would withdraw all military forces from him. He said the timeline had been set by US President Joe Biden and threatened “consequences” if the United States and the United Kingdom sought an extension of that deadline. “It is a red line. So if they extend it, it means they are extending the occupation while there is no need for that.”

The warning came when British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called an emergency G7 meeting on Tuesday as the current president of the Group of Seven countries, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United States. and the UK.

A push is expected on the agenda of world leaders for the United States to seek an extension of the August 31 deadline, as time is running out to evacuate foreign nationals from the Taliban-controlled region.

On the subject of the desperate scenes at Kabul airport when people risk their lives to flee the country for fear of retaliation from the Taliban, the spokesperson called it economic migration.

On women’s rights, the spokeswoman said that women under the Taliban would have the same rights as anywhere else as long as they wear hijabs. “Women should have the same rights that you have in your country, but with a hijab,” she said. “Now the teachers have resumed their work. They lost nothing. Women journalists have resumed their work. They lost nothing,” she said.

There have been widespread fears of retaliation and attacks in Afghanistan against those perceived to support the US-led NATO operation and regression in women’s rights under the Taliban. They believe in advocating a rigorous interpretation of Islam.