The Taliban said Monday that it won’t accept an extension to Biden’s August 31 Afghanistan withdrawal deadline.
“You can say it’s a red line,” Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen told Sky News, per the Military Times.
“If the US or UK were to seek additional time to continue evacuations — the answer is no,” Shaheen said, “or there would be consequences.” If the U.S. goes through with the extension, “that means they are extending the occupation,” which will “create mistrust between us.” “If they are intent on continuing the occupation, it will provoke a reaction,” Shaheen said.