According to US media reports on Sunday, the Taliban are preventing around 1000 people from leaving Afghanistan, including hundreds of American citizens and Afghans with visas to the US or other nations. The New York Times (NYT) claimed that many planes are waiting for authorization to leave the group and that the holdup is due to continuing discussions between the US and the Taliban.

This comes after the US concluded its pullout last week, following the Taliban's quick capture of Kabul following an operation that saw Afghan government forces collapse quickly. According to US media sources, the planes delayed in Afghanistan are being unloaded, and passengers are being detained nearby since the Taliban refuses to allow them inside the airport.

According to a Pentagon official involved in evacuation operations, the Taliban wants to keep these people from leaving because they want to punish them for cooperating with the US. Former senior Pentagon official Mick Mulroy said it's "terrible" if the Taliban are exploiting civilians as a negotiating tool.

Meanwhile, Michael McCaul, a prominent Republican on the US House Foreign Affairs Committee, informed media that the Taliban had blocked six flights from leaving Mazar-i-Sharif International Airport as they negotiate with the US. "The state has cleared these flights, and the Taliban will not let them leave the airport," Mr. McCaul said, adding that he believed the problem was "turning into a hostage situation." McCaul said the Taliban wanted "something in exchange" for approving takeoff of the planes and that they are seeking "full recognition from the United States of America."

Last Friday, US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken had said that the United States is in "constant contact" with Americans remaining in Afghanistan who still wish to leave the country.

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