Americans to leave Afghanistan immediately using available commercial flight options - U.S. embassy

As the security situation in the country continues to deteriorate, the U.S. embassy urges Americans to leave Afghanistan immediately

The US embassy in Kabul urged Americans to leave Afghanistan immediately on Thursday, citing the country's deteriorating security situation.

"The United States Embassy strongly advises U.S. citizens to depart Afghanistan as soon as possible via commercial flight alternatives".

"Given the security conditions and reduced staffing, the embassy's ability to assist U.S. citizens in Afghanistan is extremely limited even within Kabul." 

The security caution came after the embassy issued a similar warning on Saturday. It also occurred after Taliban fighters earlier in the day conquered Ghazni city, the capital of eastern Ghazni province, bringing the insurgent group's total number of provincial capitals captured to ten in less than a week.

Since the withdrawal of US-led troops on May 1, the security situation in the war-torn country has deteriorated. In recent weeks, major clashes and street fighting between Afghan forces and Taliban militants have erupted in many Afghan cities and about half of the country's 34 provinces.

According to the US State Department, two American officials spoke with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Thursday and assured him that the US "remains involved in the security and stability of Afghanistan" in the face of Taliban violence.

In a statement issued, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told Ghani that due to the "evolving security situation," Washington was reducing its civilian footprint in Kabul and would increase the tempo of Special Immigration Visa flights for Afghans who assisted the US effort in the country.

They also said the United States remains committed to maintaining a strong diplomatic and security relationship with the Afghan government. 

On Tuesday, President Joe Biden also pledged continued assistance for the Middle Eastern country while emphasizing that Afghan forces must "fight for themselves, fight for their homeland."