NATO weighs in on Taliban gains as western nations speed up evacuations | DW News

Germany will reduce the number of staff at its Kabul embassy to the "absolute minimum," Foreign Minister Heiko Mass said Friday as Taliban forces set their sights on the Afghan capital. The announcement came as more German lawmakers appeal for quick action to get staff out of Afghanistan. Senior Christian Democrat (CDU) lawmaker Norbert Röttgen urged the German authorities to "not abandon a single local employee" who were in danger of "torture and death." It also comes as the German journalists' association asked for Afghan journalists to be given residence in their country.

Speaking to reporters after an emergency meeting with the permanent representatives of all 30 NATO member states, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the alliance is "deeply concerned about the high levels of violence caused by the Taliban's offensive, including attacks on civilians, targeted killings, and reports of other serious human rights abuses." Stoltenberg reiterated the alliance remains committed to a political solution and would continue "to support the Afghan government and security forces as much as possible." While NATO continues to maintain a diplomatic presence in Kabul, the alliance will "continue to adjust as necessary," and "assess the developments on the ground".

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#Afghanistan #Taliban #Evacuations