As Afghans and foreigners attempt to flee, chaos reigns in Kabul airport.
The United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, and a number of other countries are all attempting to evacuate their citizens from the country.
Thousands of Afghans, foreign diplomats, and officials attempted to flee the country moments after the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan, resulting in scenes of chaos at Kabul’s airport.
According to the UK Guardian, access to Hamid Karzai airport, five kilometers from the capital, was only possible through Taliban checkpoints because the Taliban had taken over the presidential palace and the elected president had fled the country.
Multiple explosions were heard in Afghanistan’s capital as night fell, and local media reported gunfire near the airport.
The United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, and a number of other countries are all attempting to evacuate their citizens from the country.
On Sunday, the airport’s civilian side came under fire, and by Monday morning, there were reports that US troops had fired into the air to disperse the crowds.
According to the BBC, the US military has secured the site and is assuming control of air traffic control in order to evacuate American and allied personnel.
“Foreign embassies warned their nationals and Afghan citizens that traveling to the airport was dangerous and that they should only go there if instructed. Embassy personnel are being flown to the military side of the airport, which is guarded by US troops.”
Commercial flights have been suspended for the most part, leaving hundreds of Afghans and other foreign nationals stranded at the airport.
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After the government fell apart on Sunday, the Taliban declared victory. President Ashraf Ghani has fled to a foreign country.
Mr Ghani explained that he did so to avoid bloodshed.
He went on to say that the Taliban are now facing a “new historical test.” “Either they will protect Afghanistan’s name and honor, or they will place a higher priority on other places and networks.”
“In order to gain legitimacy and the hearts and minds of the people, the Taliban must provide assurance to all Afghans, tribes, segments, sisters and women, and make clear plans and share them with the public,” he said, without revealing where he had gone.
The militants’ return to power brings an end to a nearly 20-year presence in the country by a US-led coalition.
After most foreign troops withdrew, the group was able to seize control.
US President Joe Biden defended the troop withdrawal over the weekend, saying he couldn’t justify a “endless American presence in the middle of another country’s civil war.”
