Five people have died at Kabul airport where U.S. troops today fired into the air to deter people from forcing their way onto a flight as ...
Five people have died at Kabul airport where U.S. troops today fired into the air to deter people from forcing their way onto a flight as thousands of Afghans poured onto the runway in a desperate bid to escape the Taliban.
Footage showed three stowaways falling to their deaths after clinging to the wheels of a military plane as it took off from Hamid Karzai International Airport.
Other video showed hundreds chasing after a USAF C-17 transport jet as it hurtled down the runway, and other pictures showed a crowd running alongside and in front of another American jet as it prepared for takeoff.
U.S. soldiers earlier fired warning shots into the air to deter people from forcing their way onto a military flight that was due to evacuate American diplomats and embassy staff out of the fallen city.
'The crowd was out of control,' a U.S. official told Reuters. 'The firing was only done to defuse the chaos.'
One witness, waiting for a flight out for more than 20 hours, said it was unclear if the five had been shot or killed in a stampede. U.S. officials at the airport were not immediately available for a comment.
The chaos, reminiscent of the evacuation from Saigon in 1975, comes after the Taliban declared victory from the presidential palace on Sunday following a blistering advance across the country after a hasty U.S. retreat.
One of the terror chieftains claimed proudly, 'Praise God, I was in Guantanamo for eight years', as he sat at the president's table surrounded by henchmen strapped with AK-47s.
President Joe Biden has yet to speak publicly about the humiliating foreign policy disaster which looks set to become a defining feature of his legacy.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Sunday that the U.S. decision to withdraw had 'accelerated' the crisis.
The Taliban has sought to calm fears that any foreign citizens or embassy staff will come to harm as it seeks formal recognition from the international community.
Almost all major checkpoints in Kabul were under Taliban control by Monday morning and Afghanistan's Civil Aviation Authority issued an advisory saying the 'civilian side' of the airport had been 'closed until further notice' and that the military controlled the airspace.
Taliban officials said everyone would be allowed to return home from Kabul airport if they decide to stay in the country and promised civilians would not be harmed. The group previously said westerners would be allowed to leave the country but that Afghans would be barred from departing.
US troops are guarding the airport and have taken over air traffic control, but all non-military flights are grounded. Early Monday morning, flight-tracking data showed no immediate commercial flights over the country.
The last U.S. officials were flying out of the country today as:
- Taliban fighters were seen patrolling the streets of Kabul as thousands of hopeful Afghans gathered on the runway at Hamid Karzai airport trying desperately to escape from Afghanistan;
- German Chancellor Angela Merkel said troops would be deployed to Afghanistan to evacuate German citizens and Afghans in danger from the Taliban;
- The US ambassador and embassy staff fled Afghanistan after Taliban forces stormed Kabul;
- President Biden ordered about 5,000 troops to help evacuate US staff 'and other allied personnel';
- PM Boris Johnson said said the US decision to withdraw from Afghanistan had 'accelerated' the crisis;
- British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab was forced to return to the UK from his holiday abroad;
- Tory MPs called fallout from Anglo-US withdrawal 'Britain's worst foreign policy disaster since Suez';
- MPs are expected to to vent their anger and frustration when they return to Westminster on Wednesday for an emergency recall of Parliament to discuss the crisis;
- President Biden defended the withdrawal of US troops and blamed his predecessor Donald Trump for a deal that left the warlords 'in the strongest position militarily since 2001';
- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken insisted the scene in Afghanistan is not comparable to the fall of Saigon as he diverted blame for the Taliban takeover on Republicans.
Footage from Hamad Karzai airport showed hundreds of people running alongside - and in front of - a US Air Force plane preparing to take off
Thousands of civilians rush towards one of the last military planes leaving Kabul (left) the airport was teeming with desperate civilians trying to flee the Taliban (right)
The House House did release an image of Biden on a briefing call at Camp David with the caption while the world asks 'where's Joe?'
US troops are guarding the airport and have taken over air traffic control, but all non-military flights are grounded. Soldiers fired warning shots in the air to prevent hundreds of civilians running onto the tarmac, a US official said
US troops fired shots into the air at Kabul airport today as desperate Afghans climbed up the outside of airbridges trying to flee as the Taliban took control of Afghanistan
Video posted social media showed hundreds of people trying to climb the outside of airbridges to board commercial liners grounded in Hamad Karzai airport
At least five people have been killed at Kabul airport as thousands of people tried desperately to get on flights out of Afghanistan amid increasingly chaotic scenes. Witnesses said it was not clear whether the victims were killed by gunshots or in a stampede
US troops fired shots in the air at Hama Karzai airport to prevent hundreds of civilians running onto the tarmac after they took control of the airport in Kabul and the country's air traffic control
US troops are guarding the airport and have taken over air traffic control, but all non-military flights are grounded. Early Monday morning, flight-tracking data showed no immediate commercial flights over the country even as thousands of Afghans flooded Kabul airport
The US Embassy has been evacuated and the American flag lowered, with diplomats relocating to the airport in scenes reminiscent of the evacuation of the embassy of Saigon in 1975. Other Western countries have also closed their missions and are flying out staff and civilians after the Taliban walked into Kabul's presidential palace
In a stunning rout, the Taliban seized nearly all of Afghanistan in just over a week, despite the billions of dollars spent by the US and NATO over nearly two decades to build up Afghan security forces
Desperate Afghans were seen chasing US military C-17s as the evacuation flights took off from Kabul airport on Monday
US soldiers take up their positions as they secure the airport in Kabul after the Taliban walked into the capital, forcing President Ashraf Ghani to flee
Thousands of Afghans gathered at Kabul's Hamid Karzai airport, but all commercial services have been suspended, with only military flights leaving the country as the UK, US and other western countries repatriate their citizens
US military Appache helicopters were seen flying low over Kabul airport on Monday as troops tried to control crowds of thousands of Afghans desperate to escape the country after the Taliban takeover
The scene at Kabul airport, as civilians hoping to be evacuated crowd onto the tarmac
There were chaotic scenes at Kabul International Airport on Sunday night as thousands of Afghan residents rushed onto the tarmac
Security appeared to be non-existent as those desperate to leave rushed onto the tarmac outside of the terminal buildings
There were scenes of pure chaos on the ground outside the airport buildings as people fled together with their suitcases
Potential passengers can be seen crowding the tarmac at Kabul airport in Afghanistan with people desperate to leave the country any way they can
A U.S. Chinook helicopter flies near the U.S. Embassy as smoke rises in Kabul, Afghanistan, late on Sunday night
New videos show panicked mobs swarming Kabul International Airport Sunday, as hundreds try frantically to flee the besieged Afghan capital as Taliban forces move in
Thousands of people can be seen at the airport as more crowd inside the terminal
Afghanistan was thrown into turmoil Sunday as Taliban forces seized the capital following the withdrawal of US troops for the first time since 2001
Crowds are seen at Kabul airport as part of a desperate exodus after the extremist Islamic militants took over the city
The House House released an image of Biden on a briefing call at Camp David with the caption: 'This morning, the President and Vice President met with their national security team and senior officials to hear updates on the draw down of our civilian personnel in Afghanistan, evacuations of SIV applicants and other Afghan allies, and the ongoing security situation in Kabul'
Lights are on at the U.S. Embassy buildings after nightfall, in Kabul, Afghanistan on Sunday
Smoke rises next to the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, late Sunday
A US Air Force helicopter was seen taking off from the US embassy Sunday
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told US senators Sunday morning that the sudden collapse of the Afghan government means terror groups like Al Qaeda could grow stronger in Afghanistan far sooner than the two years Congress had previously estimated it would take them to become a threat.
He conceded that the prediction also raised the possibility of a domestic attack in the US, or on one of its allies. Milley said up to 60,000 refugees could qualify for Special Immigrant Visas as a result of Iran's collapse.
The Pentagon has now authorized 6,000 US troops to Afghanistan to help with the evacuation, officials confirmed to Reuters Foreign Policy Correspondent Idrees Ali on Sunday, an increase from the original 5,000 that President Joe Biden said we be heading to the area.
Biden has set an August 31 deadline for the competition of the withdrawal. The Pentagon estimates that 30,000 people will need to be evacuated in this process.
Video shared on social media Sunday shows people in Kabul rushing towards the airport.
Biden also attributed the current situation in Afghanistan to his predecessor, Donald Trump, who he said 'left the Taliban in the strongest military position since 2001' and blamed him for the militants' swift takeover of most of Afghanistan upon the US troop withdrawal.
According to a memo from the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan, which was shared on Twitter by Wall Street Journal reporter Dion Nissenbaum, Americans have been ordered to shelter in place while the Kabul airport takes fire
In a scene mirroring that of Saigon at the end of the Vietnam war, a US Air Force helicopter was seen taking off from the US embassy earlier Sunday. The Chinook helicopter rose to the skies above the city - just like in 1975 when a US Marine helicopter was seen evacuating embassy staff from Vietnamese capital.
Smoke rose from near to the US Embassy earlier Sunday as security staff work to destroy any important documents, including CIA information, electronic devices, or material that could be used 'in propaganda efforts'.
'Please also include items with Embassy or agency logos, Americans flags, or items which could be misused in propaganda efforts,' the notice said.
According told CNN, US Senators were briefed by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley Sunday as the situation in Afghanistan continues to unfold.
The Senate was informed that as many as 60,000 people could possibly qualify as Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders or applicants, P1 and P2 visa holders, or others like human rights defenders.
Scene at the Kabul airport on Sunday. Video showed chaotic crowds of people attempting to board flights.
Smoke was seen rising from near to the US embassy earlier Sunday as security staff work to burn any important documents, including CIA information, or material that could be used 'in propaganda efforts'. The US flag is soon expected to be lowered, signaling the official closure of the embassy
US Ambassador Ross Wilson is said to have evacuated the embassy in Kabul on Sunday
Meanwhile, a Taliban official says they will soon declare the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan from the presidential palace in Kabul.
US Intelligence officials expected Kabul to hold out for three months, while UK ministers were hoping they had until the end of the month.
Leaders of the extremist group have Sunday demanded the Afghan government surrender the city to them in a bid to avoid bloodshed - adding the chilling warning 'we've not declared a ceasefire'.
As many as 10,000 US citizens are being evacuated from the city. Around 3,000 US troops are being sent to aid the mission.
According to Biden, he and his security team made the decision in an effort to 'protect our interests and values as we end our military mission in Afghanistan.'
Government leaders are trying to ensure an 'orderly and safe drawdown of U.S. personnel and other allied personnel' and an 'orderly and safe evacuation of Afghans who helped our troops during our mission and those at special risk from the Taliban advance'.
The president says the U.S. government is also actively working to 'process, transport, and relocate Afghan Special Immigrant Visa applicants and other Afghan allies'.
There are also fears about the safety of thousands of translators who are concerned they may be viewed as 'traitors' by the extremist Taliban.
It is understood the plan is to evacuate the translators and their families, though there are concerns that the efforts may be hampered if fighters quickly reach Kabul airport.
Taliban Sunday demanded foreigners who don't leave to register their presence with Taliban administrators in the coming days. While western countries such as the US and UK have opted to evacuate staff, Russia Sunday confirmed that it did not intend to evacuate its embassy staff in Kabul.
A twin-rotor US Air Force Chinook was seen taking off from the US Embassy earlier Sunday, as the evacuation efforts rapidly pick up pace
The Chinook helicopter was seen taking to the skies above the city - just like in 1975 when a US Marine helicopter was seen evacuating embassy staff from Vietnamese capital (pictured)
The US Embassy in Kabul has been ordered to destroy sensitive materials and evacuate as Taliban fighters move in on the capital
Anti-missile decoy flares are deployed as U.S. Black Hawk military helicopters and a dirigible balloon fly over the city of Kabul, Afghanistan
The US Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan has been the intelligence hub of the US's war on terror
Special Forces units are joining 600 British troops from the 16 Air Assault Brigade, including 150 Paratroopers, to begin airlifting more than 500 British Government employees out of Kabul. Pictured: Members of Joint Forces Headquarters get prepared to deploy to Afghanistan
The Taliban is now closing in on the capital of Kabul from all sides, now controlling territories in the north, south, east and west
The UK Government says it aims to get British ambassador Sir Laurie Bristow (pictured) and his embassy staff out by Sunday night - amid fears the Taliban could seize Kabul airport within days
The militants were seen in the districts of Kalakan, Qarabagh and Paghman hours after taking control of Jalalabad, the last major Afghan city to fall to the insurgents.
The terror group said in a statement they do not intend to take the capital 'by force' after entering the outskirts of the city.
An Afghan official earlier confirmed Jalalabad fell under Taliban control without a fight early Sunday morning when the governor surrendered, saying it was 'the only way to save civilian lives.'
Its fall has also given the Taliban control of a road leading to the Pakistan city of Peshawar, one of the main highways into landlocked Afghanistan.
Jalalabad is close to the Pakistani border and just 80 miles from Kabul - the Afghanistan capital home to more than four million people and currently the only remaining major city still under government control.
Meanwhile, Special Forces units are joining 600 British troops from the 16 Air Assault Brigade, including 150 Paratroopers, while RAF planes are being scrambled from around the world, to airlift more than 500 British Government employees out of Kabul.
The UK Government says it aims to get British ambassador Sir Laurie and his remaining embassy staff out by Sunday night - amid fears the Taliban could seize Kabul airport within days.
A Taliban fighter sits inside an Afghan National Army (ANA) vehicle along the roadside in Laghman province on Sunday
Taliban fighters drive the vehicle through the streets of Laghman province Sunday - the same day Jalalabad fell
Residents and fighters swarm an Afghan National Army vehicle on a roadside in Laghman province as the insurgents take control of major cities
Leaders of the extremist group say they don't want a 'single Afghan to be injured or killed' during the hostile takeover - but warned 'we've not signed a ceasefire yet'.
A senior US official told the New York Times the Taliban have warned the US it must cease airstrikes or else its extremist fighters will move in on US buildings.
Joe Biden has vowed that any action that puts Americans at risk 'will be met with a swift and strong US military response.'
Meanwhile, in the UK, Boris Johnson is facing calls for a last-ditch intervention to prevent the complete collapse of Afghanistan.
The lead elements of the British force sent to evacuate the remaining UK nationals were understood to be in the capital amid fears it could fall within days or even hours.
But amid a hurried scramble for safety, helicopters were seen landing at the US embassy to ferry away remaining personnel.
In the UK, there was deep anger among many MPs at the way - 20 years after the first international forces entered Afghanistan - the country was being abandoned to its fate.
The chairman of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee Tom Tugendhat said it was 'the biggest single foreign policy disaster' since Suez, while Defence Committee chairman Tobias Ellwood said it was a humiliation for the West.
Despite the decision of the Biden administration to withdraw the remaining US troops which triggered the collapse, Ellwood said it was still not too late to turn the situation around.
He called for the dispatch of the Royal Navy carrier strike group to the region and urged the Prime Minister to convene an emergency conference of 'like-minded nations' to see what could be done.
'I plead with the Prime Minister to think again. We have an ever-shrinking window of opportunity to recognize where this country is going as a failed state,' he told Times Radio.
'We can turn this around but it requires political will and courage. This is our moment to step forward.
'We could prevent this, otherwise history will judge us very, very harshly in not stepping in when we could do and allowing the state to fail.'
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