The Taliban announced that it will that it will restrict the ability of Afghan citizens from leaving the country. The announcement on Sunday led to statements of concern from the United States and the United Kingdom. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid announced on Sunday that Afghans would be prevented from leaving the country unless they state their destination and that women would not be permitted to travel abroad for study unless they had a male guardian, either a husband or a relative, with them.
The announcement could harm efforts to evacuate Afghans who worked as translators or in other positions for foreign countries’ embassies and militaries. The numbers of such Afghans are estimated to be in the thousands, with international governments and organizations attempting to facilitate their evacuations.
“Our ability to facilitate relocation for our Afghan allies depends on the Taliban living up to its commitment of free passage,” a US State Department spokesperson told Reuters.