Everyone else is looking to get out of Afghanistan, as 20 years of American occupation has resulted in an apparent return to power for the Taliban. The US, however, is sending another 1,000 US troops into the country, bringing the US figure to about 6,000.
Officials say it is a “narrowly focused” mission to secure movement of personnel, though both Kabul and the airport seem less than secure at this point, and its not clear what the US troops are doing beyond overseeing the flight from the country.
Officials say they anticipate the need to airlift people out of Kabul, and still hope to be out of Afghanistan by month’s end. There will also be a combat brigade sent to Kuwait as part of this operation, just in case.
Some 500 embassy personnel were evacuated on Sunday, but 4,000 more are waiting for a way out of Afghanistan. Other Americans, including families of embassy personnel, may have to wait even longer.
Getting out through the Kabul Airport is easier said than done, as it has been closed to commercial traffic. Those who are getting out are on military flights, while cargo planes are also being filled up with Afghans looking to escape an uncertain future.
Most Western nations are making concerted efforts to evacuate their citizens from Kabul. So far, the US is advising Americans to take shelter. The Taliban, for its part, has said they intend to ensure safety for Kabul, and recommend foreigners in the city either leave or register with the new Taliban government.
6000 troops and -?? Why are they still committing more troops there??
Everyone’s fled to Kabul airport, Western embassies supposedly abandoned and presumably being vetted by Taliban sappers right now.
The airport is supposedly under fire; they’re all trapped if military flights can be stopped. The Taliban will let them leave; they might have other ideas about letting Western forces stay on as anything but prisoners of war.
Its not likely Kabul Airport is bunkered up like Donetsk Airport, where a lean, mean resistance force unencumbered by hundreds if not thousands of refugees can hole up for months against amateur light infantry.
If this was part of some brilliant plan to trap the Taliban for a massive counter attack… well, who’s dumb idea was that, Kathleen Kennedy ???