More countries take measures around embassy in Kabul | Abroad

Sweden is also recalling some of its staff. Meanwhile, France is once again urging its citizens in Afghanistan to leave the country as soon as possible. Switzerland will retrieve its remaining three employees from the Kabul office as soon as possible. The country does not have an embassy there, local employees can apply for a visa. The Netherlands is speeding up the recall of some of the embassy staff.

The United States has already announced that it will evacuate a significant number of employees from its embassy in Kabul. The British have announced similar measures. The government in London held an emergency meeting on Friday. Prime Minister Boris Johnson later said he would continue to support Afghanistan. He assures that his country will remain closely involved in the future of Afghanistan, so that there is no government that once again allows terrorists to have free rein.

reconquest land

With the withdrawal of international troops, the Taliban are able to retake the country. Eighteen of the 34 provincial capitals are now under fundamentalist control. The Taliban are said to have approached Kabul within 50 kilometers.

The US diplomatic presence in Kabul is reduced to a “barefoot occupation.” The Americans are sending 3000 extra soldiers to manage the departure of the embassy employees. Most of it will be there by the end of the weekend. There are currently 650 American soldiers in Afghanistan to protect the embassy, ​​among other things. The British also temporarily send military reinforcements. These countries are also taking measures to get Afghan interpreters and other (former) employees out of the country. In the coming days, “thousands” a day will be flown out of the country, the US says.

The United Nations is not yet evacuating any employees, but is monitoring the situation “hour by hour”, a spokesman said. According to him, the people’s organization has few people in areas that the Taliban has conquered. However, a number of employees are brought to Kabul.

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