Biden keeps Aug. 31 deadline to withdraw troops from Afghanistan

U.S. President Joe Biden decided to stick with the Aug. 31 deadline for troops withdrawal from Afghanistan, U.S. media reported on Tuesday, reported Xinhua.

Citing a U.S. official, multiple news outlets said that Biden also asked for contingency plans in case he determines at a later date that the U.S. military needs to remain in the country longer.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid made it clear on Tuesday at a press conference that the United States should withdraw all troops and contractors before the Aug. 31 deadline.

Biden in July ordered that the U.S. military mission in Afghanistan conclude by the end of August.

The United States has been scrambling to evacuate Americans and its Afghan partners from the country since the Taliban entered the capital Kabul on Aug. 15.

The White House said on Tuesday that around 21,600 people had been evacuated during a 24 hour-period ending early Tuesday morning.