As the situation in Afghanistan worsens, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has recalled parliament early to discuss what can be done to help protect the Afghan people.
On Saturday evening, the Taliban - known for their massacre campaigns, human trafficking, oppression of women and minorities, and facilitation of terrorist activities - moved into the city of Mazar-i-Sharif and on Sunday they seized Jalalabad and began making their way into the capital city of Kabul. The extremist group have requested the government of Afghanistan transfer power to the Taliban.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in a statement today that Afghanistan must not become a "breeding ground for terror" once again. The Prime Minister called on leaders of other nations not to "prematurely" recognise the Taliban as the government of Afghanistan and instead come to a unilateral agreement on how best to approach this "difficult situation".
Importantly, the Prime Minister's focus has been on evacuating UK nationals and Afghan soldiers who fought alongside the UK against the Taliban. To date, the UK Government has sent 600 military personnel to help with the evacuation of British nationals in Afghanistan and the RAF has been deployed to help aid the evacuation.
The Prime Minister continues to chair regular COBRA meetings to discuss the rapidly changing picture in Afghanistan and he will update the House of Commons on the Government's plans to further assist the people of Afghanistan.