'Who should come to Hamid Karzai International airport?' Here's the US view

By Team Newsable | First Published Aug 23, 2021, 5:28 PM IST

The US Embassy in Kabul has released advice specifying who should congregate at Hamid Karzai International Airport to manage crowds and guarantee efficient evacuation operations.

At one week since the Taliban took over the country, US authorities expressed increased worry about the threat posed by extremist organizations. Amid this significant security issue, throngs of panicked individuals are gathering at Kabul airport, wanting to be evacuated as soon as possible. The desperation of Afghan and international nationals fleeing the Taliban has resulted in horrific scenes at the airport. Seven people were murdered in a mob at the airport gates on Sunday.

The US Embassy in Kabul has released advice specifying who should congregate at Hamid Karzai International Airport to manage crowds and guarantee efficient evacuation operations. A representative for the US State Department advised individuals thronging the area surrounding the airport in the strife-torn country's capital to leave if they did not have a "confirmed invitation" in a video broadcast by the US State Department.

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Who should come to the Hamid Karzai International Airport?https://t.co/KSCS8gLSI9 pic.twitter.com/lUQjRdNcEa

— U.S. Embassy Kabul (@USEmbassyKabul)

"You will not be permitted to enter the airport or board an evacuation flight if you do not have a confirmed invitation. If you do not have a flying authorization, you should leave the airport area immediately in the brief video," the spokesman stated.

Also Read | Taliban warns US of ‘consequences’ of extending August 31 deadline for withdrawing troops

According to the official, if a person is a US citizen, a US lawful permanent resident, an immigrant visa applicant, or is associated with the US government, or has received explicit orders to travel to the Hamid Karzai International Airport (HKIA), they should follow those instructions. According to the official, orders have been sent to anyone affiliated with the US government who wish to depart.

On Saturday, the US Embassy issued an advisory warning of "possible security risks" outside Kabul airport, advising US people to avoid visiting there unless they got specific instructions from a government official. President Joe Biden stated that the United States and its allies had evacuated almost 28,000 individuals from Afghanistan since August 14, increasing the total number of people evacuated since July to around 33,000. Furthermore, 23 US military planes, including 14 C-17s and 9 C-130s, left Kabul with 3,900 passengers on Sunday.

Also Read | US President Joe Biden speaks on Taliban, says 'don't trust anybody'

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