Australia due to security fears of closing the Afghan embassy to the Taliban News

Australia on Tuesday suddenly announced that it would close its embassy in Afghanistan this week, citing “an increasingly secure security environment” in Kabul and fears that the U.S. would decide to withdraw its troops from the country at war.

The unforeseen decision comes as Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the deployment of 80 Australian soldiers involved in training and assisting NATO forces in Afghanistan, as part of NATO’s Resolute Support mission. The country ended its combat mission in 2013.

On Tuesday, the Australian prime minister said the facilities would be closed “as a temporary measure” on 28 May – just three days – “due to the immediate international withdrawal from Afghanistan”.

The United States and its allied forces have begun withdrawing troops from Afghanistan, 20 years after the September 11 attacks on U.S. soil overthrew the Taliban regime.

Australia hopes that this measure will be temporary and that we will regain our permanent presence in Kabul when circumstances allow.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison

The Taliban on Tuesday pledged to provide a “safe environment” for foreign diplomats after Australia announced it would close its embassy over security concerns.

“The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan secures all staff from foreign diplomats and humanitarian organizations [we] it will not pose any threat to them, “Taliban spokesman Mohammad Naeem told AFP news agency.” We will provide a safe environment for their activities. “

The Taliban, which led an armed uprising against NATO troops led by the US, has emerged as a strong force controlling various parts of the country. The US withdrawal is part of an agreement signed by Washington last year to end the war with the Taliban.

Elected governments in Kabul and the security services in Afghanistan remain weak despite two decades of foreign aid, and their success is not clear without US protection.

In recent days, violence in the country has escalated and Afghan forces have clashed with Taliban fighters not far from eastern Kabul.

The rebels have also taken up positions 40 km (24 miles) west of the city, the usual gateway to the capital and carrying out deadly attacks.

Withdrawal of U.S. troops

All U.S. troops are expected to arrive by Sept. 11, marking the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. The U.S. has invaded the country after Taliban authorities accused it of having al-Qaeda leaders, including Osama bin Laden, who was blamed for the deadliest attack on U.S. soil.

Since joining NATO-led forces in Afghanistan in 2001, more than 25,000 Australian soldiers have served in the country over the years, costing the country billions of dollars.

Australian troops were accused of ill-treating Afghan civilians. Last year the government consultation he has found evidence of war crimes against his soldiers. It removed from office 13 soldiers of special forces for killing unarmed children and children.

Morrison said there is an “increasingly secure security environment” for the 80-member Australian contingent and larger U.S. forces without backup. “They have warned the government that no security measures can be put in place to support the continued diplomatic presence,” he said in a statement.

It was not clear whether any specific threats were made against the embassy.

Australian officials are expected to travel to Afghanistan from abroad, and Morrison said his country remains “committed to a bilateral relationship.”

“Australia’s hope is that this measure will be temporary and that we will regain a permanent presence in Kabul when circumstances allow,” Morrison said.

The sudden closure surprised some Australian experts.

“It’s an amazing decision,” said John Blaxland, a professor of international security at the National University of Australia.

“On a level I can understand why they would want to close, but I think it’s a sad accusation to leave like this after 20 years of investment, blood, sweat and tears,” Blaxland told AFP news agency.

“This is not Saigon 1975,” he added, a reference to the dramatic evacuation of the South Vietnamese embassy from the roofed heliports when the city was taken over by the Viet Cong and regular communist military forces.

Blaxland expressed fear that Afghans working with the Australian government could now not leave.

“If we don’t correct that, the embarrassment of that is something that will last for years,” he said.