Taliban fighters reportedly executing surrendering troops, US embassy staff in Kabul to be reduced

The U.S. warns that Taliban fighters are executing surrendering troops. The U.S. embassy staff in Kabul is expected to be reduced with U.S. troops helping staffers leave.

As Taliban forces advance on more provincial capitals, the U.S. is warning that its fighters are committing atrocities that could amount to war crimes. The State Department will also begin reducing its staff levels at the U.S. embassy in Kabul. State Department Spokesman Ned Price said that while the embassy in Kabul will remain open, they will be reducing their civilian footprint due to the "evolving security situation." He added that they expect to draw down to a core diplomatic presence in Afghanistan. To facilitate this decision, the Pentagon "will temporarily deploy additional personnel to Hamid Karzai International Airport." Price said they will continue to relocate qualified Afghans who assisted the American mission, such as interpreters and others who worked for the U.S. government, and flights will ramp up in the coming days.