US takes control of Kabul airport to evacuate staff

US takes control of Kabul airport to evacuate staff

By Semi Turaga
Tuesday 17/08/2021
[image: BBC]

There have been scenes of panic at Kabul airport in Afganistan as desperate residents try to flee following the seizure of the Afghan capital by the Taliban.

The US army says soldiers shot two armed men, while three people are reported to have died after falling from the underside of a plane they were clinging onto shortly after take-off.

BBC News reports all flights have now been stopped as soldiers try to clear the runways.

The US and other countries are rushing to evacuate staff and allies.

Yesterday, the Taliban declared victory after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fled abroad and his government collapsed.

The militants' return to rule brings an end to almost 20 years of a US-led coalition's presence in the country.

Kabul was the last major city in Afghanistan to fall to the Taliban.

The Islamist group was able to seize control after most foreign troops pulled out.

Following the Taliban's seizure of Kabul, many people headed to the airport.

Evacuations of foreigners and some Afghans with links to foreign governments and organisations have been taking place, but passengers said rumours spread that even those without visas were being allowed to travel.

As huge crowds gathered, US forces reportedly fired into the air to disperse people who were trying to force their way onto planes.

Video obtained by Afghan media outlets also showed people clinging to the side of a plane as it began to taxi on the runway.

Another video appeared to show men falling from a plane that had taken off.

The US government says thousands of American citizens, locals embassy staff and their families, as well as other "vulnerable Afghan nationals" are to be airlifted in the coming days.

The US has sent 6,000 troops to assist in the evacuation.

[Source:  BBC]

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