- Pentagon says ‘worried’ leader Taliban moving at speed
- ‘Deteriorating conditions’ factor in Biden’s approval of embassy effort
- Taliban captures four more provincial capitals in Afghanistan
- ANALYSIS: US bears large part of responsibility for Afghanistan military disaster
7.33 pm bst
Pentagon press secretary john kirby The US Embassy in Kabul held a press conference to provide an update on the military mission to assist with evacuation efforts.
A reporter asked Kirby if Pentagon leaders were surprised at the rate at which Taliban forces control provincial capitals in Afghanistan.
A Pentagon spokesman says the US is “certainly concerned” by the Taliban’s rapid rise in Afghanistan, but adds, “This is a moment for Afghans to unite.”
“No outcome should be inevitable.”
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7.21 pm bst
Joe Biden The White House said it received a briefing from its national security advisers today about the security situation in Afghanistan.
“Earlier today, the President was briefed by members of his national security team about ongoing efforts to safely reduce civilian footprints in Afghanistan,” the White House said in a statement to the press pool.