Military begins reducing presence in Kabul; Biden says U.S. ‘on pace’ to meet Aug. 31 deadline

Fighters holed up in the northern Panjshir Valley, the last part of Afghanistan still outside Taliban control, want a negotiated resolution to the standoff, an aide in the anti-Taliban stronghold said. Delegations from the two sides met Tuesday, according to another person in the fighters’ camp.

The United States and allied countries flew nearly 21,700 people out of Kabul in a 24-hour window ending Tuesday, the White House said. Since Aug. 14, the United States has helped evacuate 70,700 people.

The Taliban is still allowing foreign nationals to leave Kabul, spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said, but is stopping Afghan nationals from reaching the airport.