The US and British authorities are calling on their citizens to stop going to Kabul International Airport. Americans and British who are already at the entrance gates around the airport must leave there immediately due to security risks. “Go to a safe location and await further instructions,” the British government wrote in a message to citizens.
There are also reports that the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs has distributed such a warning to people who want to be evacuated from Afghanistan.
It is not clear what prompted the warning from the Americans and British. In recent days, warnings have been issued of imminent attacks by the Afghan branch of Islamic State.
Time is running out
There are still many people who want to flee the country around Kabul airport. It appears that only a few days of evacuation flights are possible as the United States is sticking to an army departure by August 31.
Furthermore, the Taliban are making it increasingly difficult for Afghans to reach the airport. Buses with evacuees on their way to the airport are searched by Taliban fighters and Afghans are stopped.
Dutch buses
news hour reported last night that at least one bus had already been taken during a Dutch evacuation operation was waiting for more than 24 hours at one of the airport entrances. Those present said there was no help from Dutch soldiers and that Taliban fighters also entered their bus.
The Dutch operation would involve three buses. Sources now report that one of the buses has let through. One of the occupants says they drove through the gate and are safe.
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