US lawmakers have written a letter to President Joe Biden over the current situation in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, asking a range of questions related to terrorism, nuclear weapon, infrastructure, military, women safety, China's ties with Taliban, Pakistan-Taliban relations etc.

US lawmakers have written a letter to President Joe Biden over the current situation in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, asking a range of questions related to terrorism, nuclear weapon, infrastructure, military, women safety, China's ties with Taliban, Pakistan-Taliban relations etc. The details of the letter dated August 24 and signed by the group of 68 lawmakers from the Senate and the House of Representatives have emerged. The lawmakers demanded that Biden should answer critical questions on what happened during the evacuation phase in Afghanistan and what are his plans to move forward. ALSO READ | Heart wrenching details of some of the 13 US troops killed in Afghan bombings As per the letter, lawmakers said, "The situation in Afghanistan has rapidly metastasized into Taliban rule with reinstated oppression of women and girls, the repression of civil society, the displacement of countless Afghans from their homes who the Taliban then use force to prevent from fleeing Afghanistan, and a power vacuum that China seeks to fill by increasing its ties to the Taliban." "The consequences of withdrawal from Afghanistan are not isolated to that country, or even to the Middle East region. The withdrawal carried geopolitical and strategic consequences that have already begun to unfold and will reverberate for decades," it added. ALSO READ | UN issues urgent appeal to help drought-hit Afghan farmers In the latest development, the US attacked an Islamic State "planner" in Afghanistan in retaliation for a deadly bombing outside Kabul airport on Thursday (August 26) that heightened the already tense situation. The US also said that there was a high risk of further blasts. Among the scores killed in the suicide bomb blast, claimed by an Islamic State affiliate in the country, were 13 US service members, the most lethal incident for US troops in Afghanistan in a decade. Details of the letter In a letter to Biden, the lawmakers said the world has watched with utter shock as the Taliban took over Afghanistan with astonishing speed, "the result of unforced errors made by withdrawing completely the small remaining footprint of our main military force from Afghanistan, and by unnecessarily delaying the evacuation of US personnel and its Afghan partners". Here are some of the prominent questions asked by the US lawmakers: Q1) What is your plan to evacuate Afghan SIVs and other vulnerable Afghans like women, girls, and former Afghan civil service employees from Afghanistan? The lawmakers have asked Biden's plans to protect women journalists, scholars and employees of prominent non-government organisations and they also asked about the protection of religious and ethnic minorities, like the Hazaras. Q2) Will you commit to abandoning the arbitrary August 31 withdrawal deadline and continuing Noncombatant Evacuation Operation until all Americans, allies, and at-risk Afghans are processed for evacuation? The US and allies are hurrying to evacuate as many people from Afghanistan as possible before an Aug. 31 deadline. The US will continue evacuating people from Kabul airport until Aug 31 if needed but will prioritise the removal of US troops and military equipment on the last couple of days, the Pentagon has said. The lawmakers are, however, asking what will happen if the evacuations are not completed before the deadline. IN PICS | Shocking images of children trapped at Kabul airport amid evacuation Q3) What is your plan to counter the Chinese Communist Party's growing relationship with the Taliban? Experts have weighed in on the possible Taliban and China ties as Beijing might look to cement its grip on the region. China has held out an olive branch to the Taliban, enticed by the country's mineral wealth, including its large reserves of lithium, a key component for electric vehicles. Q4) What is your plan to help to ensure that the Taliban does not destabilise its nuclear neighbour, Pakistan? Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, there are reports that Islamabad had allowed a porous border to give Taliban access in Pakistan, hiding from US forces. When the Taliban captured Kabul, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said Afghans had broken the "shackles of slavery". The lawmakers asked is Biden prepared to support regional allies militarily in the event that the Taliban militarise the Afghanistan border. Watch: × Q5) What is your plan to ensure that Al Qaida does not resurge and regain a foothold in Afghanistan? As the NATO allies withdrew their troops from Afghanistan, several intelligence communities have warned that terror groups like Al Qaida and ISIS-K will dominate in the region. Some of the reports have also said that they will be given complete freedom to act by the Taliban. The lawmakers have asked what operations are prepared to counter this threat. Q6) What is your plan to ensure that more US and Afghan military equipment does not end up in the hands of the Taliban? One of the various questions was related to US-owned weapons, which have been asked prominently since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan. From Humvee vehicles to Blackhawk helicopters, reports revealed the Taliban had seized most of the country, as well as any weapons and equipment left behind by fleeing Afghan forces. Pictures and videos showed the advancing insurgents inspecting long lines of vehicles and opening crates of new firearms, communications gear and even military drones. Taliban are believed to control more than 2,000 armoured vehicles, including US Humvees, and up to 40 aircraft potentially including UH-60 Black Hawks, scout attack helicopters, and ScanEagle military drones. The lawmakers have asked what are Biden's plans to disable any air forces that operate under orders from the Taliban. Other points were made over Afghan refugees in the US, plans to support Hamid Karzai International Airport (HKIA)'s air traffic control, plans to support any free Afghanistan resistance, etc.

US lawmakers write to Joe Biden demanding answers over Afghanistan, China, terrorism, nuclear weapon and more

The UK's defence chief promised Friday to “get to the bottom of” a security lapse that saw documents identifying Afghan staff members and job applicants left behind at the abandoned British Embassy in Kabul.

Times of London reporter Anthony Loyd said he found the papers scattered on the ground as he toured Kabul's abandoned diplomatic district with a Taliban escort this week.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said “clearly it's not good enough” that the documents were left unsecured. He said British Prime Minister Boris Johnson “will be asking some questions” about what had happened.

“We'll find out and get to the bottom of it,” Wallace told LBC radio.

Thousands of citizens who worked with Western forces have been trying to leave Afghanistan, fearing reprisals now that the Taliban control the country.

Loyd said the documents included the name and address of a senior embassy staff member, the contact details for other employees and the resumes and addresses of people applying to be interpreters.

He called the phone numbers he found and learned that some of the staffers had already left Afghanistan but others were still in the country, including three Afghan employees and eight family members stranded outside Kabul's airport as they tried to leave.

The government said they were eventually found and taken to safety. The Times said the fate of at least two of the job applicants remains unknown.

The House of Commons' Foreign Affairs Committee said it would hold an inquiry into how the documents got abandoned during the hurried departure of U.K. diplomats from the embassy as the Taliban advanced on Kabul earlier this month.

The Foreign Office said in a statement that “during the drawdown of our embassy every effort was made to destroy sensitive material.”

The UK's defence chief promised Friday to “get to the bottom of” a security lapse that saw documents identifying Afghan staff members and job applicants left behind at the abandoned British Embassy in Kabul.

The UK's defence chief promised Friday to “get to the bottom of” a security lapse that saw documents identifying Afghan staff members and job applicants left behind at the abandoned British Embassy in Kabul. Times of London reporter Anthony Loyd said he found the papers scattered on the ground as he toured Kabul's abandoned diplomatic district with a Taliban escort this week. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said “clearly it's not good enough” that the documents were left unsecured. He said British Prime Minister Boris Johnson “will be asking some questions” about what had happened. “We'll find out and get to the bottom of it,” Wallace told LBC radio. Thousands of citizens who worked with Western forces have been trying to leave Afghanistan, fearing reprisals now that the Taliban control the country. Loyd said the documents included the name and address of a senior embassy staff member, the contact details for other employees and the resumes and addresses of people applying to be interpreters. He called the phone numbers he found and learned that some of the staffers had already left Afghanistan but others were still in the country, including three Afghan employees and eight family members stranded outside Kabul's airport as they tried to leave. The government said they were eventually found and taken to safety. The Times said the fate of at least two of the job applicants remains unknown. The House of Commons' Foreign Affairs Committee said it would hold an inquiry into how the documents got abandoned during the hurried departure of U.K. diplomats from the embassy as the Taliban advanced on Kabul earlier this month. The Foreign Office said in a statement that “during the drawdown of our embassy every effort was made to destroy sensitive material.”

Afghanistan staff details left behind at UK Kabul embassy: Report

The Taliban urged Afghan preachers to emphasise the importance of obeying rulers in their sermons during Friday prayers, according to Reuters, citing a statement issued by the Islamist hardline group.

This follows the suicide bombings outside Kabul's Hamid Karzai airport on Thursday, which killed over 100 people and injured dozens more.&nbsp;

According to reports, the Taliban urged Afghan imams last week to try to counter negative media reports about the movement and persuade people not to flee the country ahead of the first Friday prayers since the seizure of Kabul on August 15. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/what-is-your-strategy-to-stop-taliban-from-acquiring-nuclear-weapons-us-lawmakers-to-biden-408837">Also read | What is your strategy to stop Taliban from acquiring nuclear weapons? US lawmakers to Biden</a> 
 
The Taliban said in a message that it hoped all imams in Kabul and the provinces would promote the benefits of the Islamic system and urge unity as massive crowds gathered outside Kabul airport for flights out of the country.&nbsp; 
 
Watch | Reports: ISIS-K behind Kabul blasts

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It stated that they should "encourage our compatriots to work for the development of the country, rather than attempting to leave the country," as well as respond to "the enemy's negative propaganda."

As popular opposition to the Taliban grew, flag-waving protesters took to the streets of more Afghan cities.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The Taliban urged Afghan preachers to emphasise the importance of obeying rulers in their sermons during Friday prayers, according to Reuters, citing a statement issued by the Islamist hardline group.

The Taliban urged Afghan preachers to emphasise the importance of obeying rulers in their sermons during Friday prayers, according to Reuters, citing a statement issued by the Islamist hardline group. This follows the suicide bombings outside Kabul's Hamid Karzai airport on Thursday, which killed over 100 people and injured dozens more. According to reports, the Taliban urged Afghan imams last week to try to counter negative media reports about the movement and persuade people not to flee the country ahead of the first Friday prayers since the seizure of Kabul on August 15. Also read | What is your strategy to stop Taliban from acquiring nuclear weapons? US lawmakers to Biden The Taliban said in a message that it hoped all imams in Kabul and the provinces would promote the benefits of the Islamic system and urge unity as massive crowds gathered outside Kabul airport for flights out of the country. Watch | Reports: ISIS-K behind Kabul blasts It stated that they should "encourage our compatriots to work for the development of the country, rather than attempting to leave the country," as well as respond to "the enemy's negative propaganda." As popular opposition to the Taliban grew, flag-waving protesters took to the streets of more Afghan cities. (With inputs from agencies)

Preach about importance of obeying rulers at Friday prayers: Taliban to Afghan imams

Up to half a million Afghans could flee their homeland by year-end, the U.N. refugee agency UNHCR said on Friday, appealing to all neighbouring countries to keep their borders open for those seeking safety. 
 
As a crisis unfolds in the country, a few thousand Afghans have been recorded as entering Iran daily, while traders continue going back and forth from Afghanistan to Pakistan, said Kelly Clements, deputy U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees. 
 
"In terms of numbers we are preparing for around 500,000 new refugees in the region. This is a worst case scenario," Clements told a Geneva news briefing. 
 
"While we have not seen large outflows of Afghans at this point, the situation inside Afghanistan has evolved more rapidly than anyone expected," she added. 
 
There had been a "small uptick" in the outflow to Pakistan in the recent days, she said. 
 
UNHCR`s contingency planning figure of half a million Afghan refugees over the next four months includes departures to Iran and Pakistan and to countries of Central Asia, Clements said. 
 
She did not elaborate on what developments might trigger such a sudden increase in refugee numbers where an Islamic State attack on Thursday killed 85 people outside Kabul airport. 
 
Filippo Grandi, U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, has held talks with the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and other donors regarding financial support for the agency`s plan to shelter and care for new arrivals, she added. 
 
People are calling an Afghan crisis helpline, reporting "executions and beatings and clampdowns on media and radio stations", said Najeeba Wazedafost, CEO of the Asia Pacific Refugee Network, who voiced special concern for women`s safety. 
 
"They tell us their fear of being killed simply for being a female," she said.

Up to half a million Afghans could flee their homeland by year-end, the U.N. refugee agency UNHCR said on Friday, appealing to all neighbouring countries to keep their borders open for those seeking safety.

Up to half a million Afghans could flee their homeland by year-end, the U.N. refugee agency UNHCR said on Friday, appealing to all neighbouring countries to keep their borders open for those seeking safety. As a crisis unfolds in the country, a few thousand Afghans have been recorded as entering Iran daily, while traders continue going back and forth from Afghanistan to Pakistan, said Kelly Clements, deputy U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees. "In terms of numbers we are preparing for around 500,000 new refugees in the region. This is a worst case scenario," Clements told a Geneva news briefing. "While we have not seen large outflows of Afghans at this point, the situation inside Afghanistan has evolved more rapidly than anyone expected," she added. There had been a "small uptick" in the outflow to Pakistan in the recent days, she said. UNHCR`s contingency planning figure of half a million Afghan refugees over the next four months includes departures to Iran and Pakistan and to countries of Central Asia, Clements said. She did not elaborate on what developments might trigger such a sudden increase in refugee numbers where an Islamic State attack on Thursday killed 85 people outside Kabul airport. Filippo Grandi, U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, has held talks with the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and other donors regarding financial support for the agency`s plan to shelter and care for new arrivals, she added. People are calling an Afghan crisis helpline, reporting "executions and beatings and clampdowns on media and radio stations", said Najeeba Wazedafost, CEO of the Asia Pacific Refugee Network, who voiced special concern for women`s safety. "They tell us their fear of being killed simply for being a female," she said.

Half a million Afghans could flee across borders: UNHCR

Medical staff at Kabul`s Emergency Hospital worked through the night into Friday treating casualties from the twin blasts that tore through crowds waiting outside the airport. They are fearful about what comes next. 
 
At least 85 people were killed in the attack, claimed by Islamic State in a terrifying return of suicide bombings that were a regular part of life before the Taliban`s conquest of the city less than two weeks ago. 
 
"Everybody is concerned at this moment in Kabul, nobody knows what to expect in the coming hours," said Rossella Miccio, president of the Italian aid group that runs the hospital. 
 
She said staff in its three operating theatres had worked into the early hours of the morning to handle more than 60 patients, of whom 16 died of their injuries as they arrived. 
 
"It was very tiring, exhausting. They finished with the last patient around 4 a.m. this morning, so the three theatres have been working all night long basically," she said. 
 
"Fortunately all the colleagues that were supposed to come to work today are ... there and they didn`t face any major problem on the way to the hospital." 
 
But with rumours circulating that numbers of Islamic State may be at large in Kabul, the mood in the city was tense, with some expecting more attacks to come as the chaotic evacuation continued at the airport. 
 
While the Taliban have been dismantling the concrete blast walls put up around the city over the years, the airport attack was a bitter reminder that the fall of the Western-backed government may not mean the end of suicide bombings in Kabul. 
 
"I think people are scared that there is a sort of suspended feeling, atmosphere, people are so scared of going around," said Miccio.

Medical staff at Kabul`s Emergency Hospital worked through the night into Friday treating casualties from the twin blasts that tore through crowds waiting outside the airport.

Medical staff at Kabul`s Emergency Hospital worked through the night into Friday treating casualties from the twin blasts that tore through crowds waiting outside the airport. They are fearful about what comes next. At least 85 people were killed in the attack, claimed by Islamic State in a terrifying return of suicide bombings that were a regular part of life before the Taliban`s conquest of the city less than two weeks ago. "Everybody is concerned at this moment in Kabul, nobody knows what to expect in the coming hours," said Rossella Miccio, president of the Italian aid group that runs the hospital. She said staff in its three operating theatres had worked into the early hours of the morning to handle more than 60 patients, of whom 16 died of their injuries as they arrived. "It was very tiring, exhausting. They finished with the last patient around 4 a.m. this morning, so the three theatres have been working all night long basically," she said. "Fortunately all the colleagues that were supposed to come to work today are ... there and they didn`t face any major problem on the way to the hospital." But with rumours circulating that numbers of Islamic State may be at large in Kabul, the mood in the city was tense, with some expecting more attacks to come as the chaotic evacuation continued at the airport. While the Taliban have been dismantling the concrete blast walls put up around the city over the years, the airport attack was a bitter reminder that the fall of the Western-backed government may not mean the end of suicide bombings in Kabul. "I think people are scared that there is a sort of suspended feeling, atmosphere, people are so scared of going around," said Miccio.

Exhausted Kabul hospital staff fear more attacks may come

Afghanistan's capital city Kabul was stunned by more than one suicide bomb blast at the airport on Thursday (August 26), that killed dozens of people including US troops as the&nbsp;United States President Joe Biden issued a stern warning to those who are&nbsp;responsible for the attacks.&nbsp;

The death toll from devastating blasts has risen as the latest US media reports, citing an official with Afghanistan's Ministry of Public Health, revealed that more than 90 people have been killed, including civilians and 13 US troops.&nbsp;

Biden has vowed to avenge the fallen soldiers, who he said were engaged "in a dangerous mission to save the lives of others".&nbsp; He said that the United States will "hunt down" the attackers and "make them pay".&nbsp;

"For those who carried out this attack as well as anyone who wishes America harm, know this: We will not forgive. We will not forget. We will hunt you down and make you pay," Biden said in an address at the White House on Thursday.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/india-condemns-kabul-blasts-says-need-for-the-world-to-stand-unitedly-against-terrorism-408703">India condemns Kabul blasts, says 'need for the world to stand unitedly against terrorism'</a>

The blasts have deepened the Afghan crisis further in the final days of an already tensed evacuation efforts by the West from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.&nbsp;

"There are many women and children among the victims. Most of the wounded people are in trauma and shock," one of the officials said as quoted by AFP, adding the toll only accounted for those taken to city hospitals.

The US Defense Department confirmed the number of American troops killed in the suicide bomb blasts at Kabul airport rose by one to 13.&nbsp;

"A thirteenth US service member has died from his wounds suffered as a result of the attack on Abbey Gate," Central Command spokesman Captain Bill Urban said in a statement.&nbsp;

Biden also informed that he has asked the Pentagon to develop plans to strike back at Islamist militants. He said, "I've also ordered my commanders to develop operational plans to strike ISIS-K assets, leadership and facilities."&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/india-condemns-kabul-blasts-says-need-for-the-world-to-stand-unitedly-against-terrorism-408703">India condemns Kabul blasts, says 'need for the world to stand unitedly against terrorism'</a>

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The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attacks, however, Biden said that he has seen "no evidence" that the Taliban colluded with Islamic State militants in carrying out the deadly attacks.&nbsp;

Former US president Donald Trump and other Republican lawmakers have lashed out at Biden over deaths of US soldiers.&nbsp;

"This tragedy should never have been allowed to happen, which makes our grief even deeper and more difficult to understand," said Trump, who is a staunch critic of Biden over the Afghan crisis.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Afghanistan's capital city Kabul was stunned by more than one suicide bomb blast at the airport on Thursday (August 26), that killed dozens of people including US troops as the United States President Joe Biden issued a stern warning to those who are responsible for the attacks.

Afghanistan's capital city Kabul was stunned by more than one suicide bomb blast at the airport on Thursday (August 26), that killed dozens of people including US troops as the United States President Joe Biden issued a stern warning to those who are responsible for the attacks. The death toll from devastating blasts has risen as the latest US media reports, citing an official with Afghanistan's Ministry of Public Health, revealed that more than 90 people have been killed, including civilians and 13 US troops. Biden has vowed to avenge the fallen soldiers, who he said were engaged "in a dangerous mission to save the lives of others". He said that the United States will "hunt down" the attackers and "make them pay". "For those who carried out this attack as well as anyone who wishes America harm, know this: We will not forgive. We will not forget. We will hunt you down and make you pay," Biden said in an address at the White House on Thursday. ALSO READ | India condemns Kabul blasts, says 'need for the world to stand unitedly against terrorism' The blasts have deepened the Afghan crisis further in the final days of an already tensed evacuation efforts by the West from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. "There are many women and children among the victims. Most of the wounded people are in trauma and shock," one of the officials said as quoted by AFP, adding the toll only accounted for those taken to city hospitals. The US Defense Department confirmed the number of American troops killed in the suicide bomb blasts at Kabul airport rose by one to 13. "A thirteenth US service member has died from his wounds suffered as a result of the attack on Abbey Gate," Central Command spokesman Captain Bill Urban said in a statement. Biden also informed that he has asked the Pentagon to develop plans to strike back at Islamist militants. He said, "I've also ordered my commanders to develop operational plans to strike ISIS-K assets, leadership and facilities." ALSO READ | India condemns Kabul blasts, says 'need for the world to stand unitedly against terrorism' Watch: × The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attacks, however, Biden said that he has seen "no evidence" that the Taliban colluded with Islamic State militants in carrying out the deadly attacks. Former US president Donald Trump and other Republican lawmakers have lashed out at Biden over deaths of US soldiers. "This tragedy should never have been allowed to happen, which makes our grief even deeper and more difficult to understand," said Trump, who is a staunch critic of Biden over the Afghan crisis.

Kabul blasts: More than 90 dead as Joe Biden vows to 'hunt down' those responsible