To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effect of the NATO withdrawal on the collapse of the Afghan National Army and Afghan Government; and when the Government first assessed that outcome as the most likely outcome.
Answered on
10 September 2021
As the Foreign Secretary has made clear, the central assessment had been that there would be a gradual deterioration after NATO forces withdrew and the Prime Minister has made clear that events and the collapse unfolded faster than even the Taliban themselves predicted
With regards to Afghanistan’s political stability now, or what has changed, it is clear that Taliban now exert de-facto control over much, if not all of Afghanistan. They have announced the formation of a new government. The international community must rapidly adjust to the new reality in Afghanistan and is re calibrating its approach. The UK is playing a leading role in that.
Answered by
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office