Foreign airfreight decreases, Taliban blocks Kabul airport Taliban news

The Taliban stated that they are ready to take over the Kabul Airport and already hold some positions, but the Pentagon denies this claim.

Taliban forces have blocked the Kabul airport to most Afghans who wish to evacuate because the United States and its allies have ended a chaotic airlift that will end their army’s 20 years in Afghanistan.

Western leaders acknowledged that their withdrawal will mean leaving some of their citizens and many locals who have helped them over the years, and they promised to try to continue working with the Taliban to allow local allies after the deadline for President Joe Biden’s withdrawal on Tuesday Leave. nation.

Although most of its allies have completed their evacuation flights, the United States said it plans to keep its all-weather flights until the deadline.

According to US government data, the air bridge has allowed 112,000 Afghans and foreigners to evacuate since August 14 (the eve of the Taliban’s occupation of Kabul), and 117,500 people have been evacuated since late July.

Britain is Conduct the final evacuation flight On Saturday, despite Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s promise to “turn the world upside down” and transfer more people at risk from the Taliban to the UK through other means.

Members of the 16th Air Assault Brigade of the British Armed Forces disembarked from the Royal Air Force Voyager in Brize Norton, Oxfordshire and walked to the terminal as the troops were assisting from Kabul, Afghanistan Airport evacuees return [Alastair Grant/ Pool via AFP]

Johnson discussed the evacuation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on the phone on Saturday.

The three leaders “agreed to evacuate their nationals and Afghan personnel [who had worked with their armed forces] People in danger are always the top priority, while providing humanitarian supplies to the people. And refugees from the area,” Merkel spokesperson Stephen Seibert said.

Taliban “prepared” to enter the airport

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said on Saturday that the organization’s forces had taken up some positions in the airport and were prepared to peacefully control it when the U.S. forces flew out. But the Pentagon spokesman John Kirby denied this statement.

The Taliban deployed additional troops outside the airport to prevent large crowds from gathering after Thursday’s bombing. New checkpoints appeared on the road to the airport, some of which were operated by Taliban armed men in uniform, armed with Hummers and night vision goggles seized from the Afghan security forces. In the past two weeks, the areas where crowds have gathered in hopes of fleeing the country have been largely empty.

Al Jazeera reporter Rob McBride reported in Kabul that since Friday night, the U.S. military has been withdrawing its troops and handing over its outposts on the outskirts of the Kabul airport and some positions inside the airport to the Taliban. The final withdrawal was made on August 31 before the deadline.

“In Kabul this Saturday night, you did feel this long, protracted, often chaotic and traumatic evacuation process. [is] It’s finally the final game,” he said.

During the evacuation at Kabul Airport in Afghanistan, Afghan evacuees lined up before boarding the last Italian military plane [Italian Ministry of Defence/Handout via Reuters]

As the flow of planes leaving Kabul slowed, some other planes carrying Afghans arrived around the world. These Afghans managed to secure positions on the last evacuation flight, including the Washington area, Philadelphia, Madrid, and Birmingham, England. Some people breathed a sigh of relief and looked forward to starting their new lives far away from the Taliban, but others felt pained by having to flee.

According to Turkish media reports, after the crew delivered a baby girl in mid-air, an evacuation flight to the UK landed on Saturday, carrying an extra passenger. Her parents named her Havva or Eve, and she is at least the fourth known baby, born to Afghan mothers who gave birth on the evacuation flight.

The Taliban encouraged the Afghans to stay, and even expressed amnesty to those who fought with them, and stated that commercial flights will be resumed after the United States withdraws, but it is unclear whether airlines are willing to provide services.

The United States and its allies have stated that they will continue to provide humanitarian assistance through the United Nations and other partners, but any broader involvement—including development assistance—may depend on whether the Taliban fulfills their promise of a more moderate rule.