European allies are calling on the US to delay withdrawal of its troos from Afghanistan—which US officials had suggested could be complete by as early as July 4—to give NATO allies more time and support to leave, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday.
In response, US officials said that their departure could be delayed by two weeks or longer to accommodate the allies’ requests.
US President Joe Biden has announced decision to withdraw troops from Afghanistan by September 11, but military officials have said they could complete it by the summer.
Meanwhile, Turkey, which for years has secured the airport in Kabul, has told the US and NATO that its troops may leave as well, WSJ reported.
Turkey’s potential departure, after it initially had planned to stay until after the coalition withdrawal, could prompt some Western nations to reconsider plans to keep embassies open in the capital without an international force at the airport, the newspaper reported.
It said that the international contractors are one possible alternative for airport security, but are unlikely to be able to stay without troops to guarantee their security.
