'Red line': Taliban warn of 'consequences' if US keeps troops past Aug. 31

The United States "would" face "consequences" if troops remain in Afghanistan past President Joe Biden's Aug. 31 deadline, a Taliban spokesman warned.

Suhail Shaheen described the end of the month withdrawal date as a “red line” and could result in ramifications if U.S. troops remain beyond that date because "It will create mistrust between us. If they are intent on continuing the occupation, it will provoke a reaction.”

“President Biden announced that on 31 August they would withdraw all their military forces. So if they extend it, that means they are extending occupation while there is no need for that,” he told Sky News . “If the U.S. or U.K. were to seek additional time to continue evacuations — the answer is no. Or there would be consequences.”

Biden's withdrawal date was pushed up from Sept. 11, which coincided with the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that precipitated the war in Afghanistan. He has indicated nonetheless that he’s open to keeping troops past the deadline to ensure U.S. citizens and Afghan allies are able to safely evacuate the country that’s now under Taliban control.

“Let me be clear: Any American who wants to come home, we will get you home," Biden said on Friday. "I cannot promise what the final outcome will be or that it will be without risk of loss. But as commander in chief, I can assure you that I will mobilize every resource necessary."

Since Aug. 14, the U.S. has evacuated or helped facilitate the evacuation of approximately 37,000 people, and that number rises to about 42,000 people in the entire month of August.

"They occupied our country. If we occupy your country. What you will say to me? What if I killed your people in your country? What you will say?" Shaheen added. "I think all people suffered a lot. Bloodshed. Destruction. Everything. But we say the past is the past. Part of our past history. Now we want to focus on the future."

Shaheen dismissed the scenes at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, where people were seen clinging on to the outside of a U.S. military aircraft in a desperate attempt to get out of the country, chalking it up to those individuals wanting to live in a Western country.