Seven Afghans die in chaos at Kabul airport

O The country’s Defense Ministry said in a statement released today that “conditions on the ground remain extremely difficult” and that “everything possible is being done to manage the situation as safely as possible.”

The airport was the meeting point for thousands of people trying to escape the Taliban who invaded Kabul a week ago after a lightning attack on the country.

In a bulletin published Saturday on the website, the US Embassy in Afghanistan urged US citizens in Afghanistan to avoid traveling to Kabul airport due to “potential security threats,” and a White House official citing Agence France-Presse (AFP) said that US President Joe Biden discussed the matter with administration officials this morning.

“We advise US citizens not to go to the airport and avoid leaving the airport at this time, unless they receive individual instructions from a US government representative,” the embassy wrote.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby declined to provide additional information on the nature of the threats, saying only that the situation in the Afghan capital is too “floating” and that the risks may vary “from hour to hour.”

“We continue to maintain regular contact with Taliban leaders in Kabul, including those in charge of airport checkpoints,” the spokesman said at a news conference.

The United States has evacuated about 17,000 people from the country since the start of the August 14 rescue operation, including 2,500 U.S. citizens, General Hank Taylor, deputy director of logistics at the General Staff of the U.S. Armed Forces, said Saturday.

In the last 24 hours, 38 flights have carried about 3800 people.

The US President has been criticized for the randomness of the rescue operations.

On Saturday, former President Donald Trump accused Biden of “gross incompetence” in a “failed retreat,” praising the Taliban, whom he called “great negotiators” and “tough fighters.”

It was under Trump’s leadership that the United States signed an agreement with the Taliban in February 2020, under which Washington agreed to withdraw its military from Afghanistan.

In turn, the Taliban promised to enter into peace negotiations with the Afghan government, refrain from attacking US forces and their interests in Afghanistan, and sever all ties with al-Qaeda.

The Taliban captured Kabul on August 15, ending an offensive that began in May when US and NATO forces began withdrawing.

International forces have been in the country since 2001 as part of a United States-led offensive against the extremist regime (1996-2001) that welcomed Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, mainly responsible for the September 11 attacks, 2001.

The takeover of the capital ended a 20-year foreign military presence in Afghanistan by the United States and its NATO allies, including Portugal.

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