British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has vowed to stop Afghanistan becoming a haven for extremists as cities fall to the Taliban after the withdrawal of Western forces. Extending the United Kingdom's support for the war-ravaged country, PM Johnson said: "What we must do now is not turn our backs on Afghanistan but continue, as a member of the (UN) Security Council, a country deeply involved in the strategic future of the area, to work with our partners, and make sure the government of Kabul does not allow that country, again, to be a breeding ground for terror." The British premier made the remarks after holding an emergency Cobra meeting earlier on Friday over the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan. Responding to concerns over the British citizens currently stranded in Afghanistan, Johnson said the "vast bulk" of British citizens in Afghanistan will be brought back to the UK over the "next few days". Efforts will also be stepped up to relocate Afghans to the UK who have assisted the military operation over the past 20 years, he added. Earlier in the day, the UK branded US President Joe Biden's decision to press on with pulling troops from Afghanistan as "a mistake," warning the country is on the brink of a civil war. In a rare criticism of the UK's key NATO ally, British Defense Minister Ben Wallace warned that the withdrawal "leaves a very big problem on the ground." Wallace said the drawdown would benefit Al-Qaeda, who were given safe haven by the Taliban before the 9/11 attacks in 2001 that prompted the West's 20-year involvement in Afghanistan. "I'm absolutely worried that failed states are breeding grounds for those type of people," he told the broadcaster Sky News. "Of course Al-Qaeda will probably come back," he said, warning that would lead to "a security threat to us and our interests." — Agencies
