The former chief of staff of the Afghan army was seen waiting nervously to board an evacuation flight in Kabul as the Taliban become increasingly violent towards people trying to flee the country.

The images of Wali Mohammad Ahmadzai, former Afghan army chief of staff, was seen preparing to leave Afghanistan at the Kabul airport earlier today (25th August).

Ahmadzai was fired by his boss and former Afghan President, who also fled the country, on 11th August as the Taliban drew closer to Kabul.

Whilst President Ashraf Ghani made his way to the UAE, it is currently unclear where Ahmadzai is heading as he joins over 70,700 people who have been evacuated since 14th August.

The evacuation of foreign nationals and Afghans who have applied for Special Immigrant Visas based on their years of cooperation with the U.S. State and Defense departments began on 14th August.

The evacuation is now moving into its final stage as the deadline for U.S-led NATO forces to withdraw from Afghanistan on the 31st of this month draws closer.

Despite pressure from allied forces, President Biden has been reluctant to extend the evacuation deadline after the White House made a statement yesterday (24th August) saying that the U.S was on course to complete the evacuation by the end of the month.

In response to the idea of extending the deadline, the Taliban reminded western powers that the 31st of August is a ‘red-line that should not be crossed.

Zabiullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesperson, told reporters yesterday that: “We want [the US] to evacuate all foreign nationals by 31 August and we are not in favour of allowing Afghans to leave. We will not be extending the deadline.”

Mujahid suggested that the Taliban would start preventing locals from making their way to Kabul airport after he said: “The road to Kabul airport is closed for locals and open to foreigners. We fully reassure the locals and tell them to return to their homes.”

Despite warnings from the Taliban the G7 powers have repeatedly said that they will struggle to evacuate everyone by the deadline.

Angela Merkel, told the German parliament earlier today (25th August) that: “The end of the air bridge in a few days must not mean the end of efforts to protect Afghan helpers and help those Afghans who have been left in a bigger emergency.”

It is unclear how many foreign nationals and Afghans are still in need of evacuation.