RTSun, 15 Aug 2021 22:33 UTC
© Reuters/StringerTaliban outside Hamid Karzai International Airport
The downfall of the Afghan government and rapid advancement of the Taliban who entered the country's capital taking over key locations, has sent thousands fleeing in a desperate bid to escape before the takeover is complete.
The Taliban began entering Kabul on Sunday as it reached the ultimate destination of its countrywide offensive that has gained momentum in the past two weeks. The encirclement of the city prompted the collapse of the government, with President Ashraf Ghani announcing his resignation and fleeing the country.The impending full takeover by the Taliban has caused full-blown traffic chaos across the capital. Footage circulating online shows the city's street packed with cars, as people tried to either reach their homes - or the city's airport, the last option remaining to escape.
As civilian traffic waned in the evening,
military vehicles of the Taliban began rolling down the streets of Kabul as the militants poured into the city en masse. The group has already taken over multiple key locations,
including the presidential palace.
A large group of those seeking to leave the country were filmed by the airport's entrance as several shots, apparently fired by airport security to prevent a stampede, rang out in the background.
The gunfire at the airport resulted in the suspension of commercial flights, Reuters reported, citing anonymous senior US military officials. From that moment on, the evacuations proceeded only via military aircraft, they said.
People seeking to be evacuated were seen boarding a C-17 Globemaster heavy cargo military plane, presumably belonging to the US Air Force. The video was apparently shot in the military part of the airport, with the evacuation process appearing to be organized.
The civilian part of the facility, however, has been plunged into complete chaos. Hundreds of people were seen roaming the airfield trying to board commercial flights.
Comment: Hundreds of Afghans flee to the airport as Taliban enter the city:
According to Associate Press, the jumble at the airport started on Saturday in anticipation of the Taliban's approach, with many in the city hoping to fly out of the country. The same day, all commercial flights from the airport were suspended, with only military aircraft allowed to fly.
NATO said in a statement on Sunday that it would continue carrying out operations at the Kabul airport to keep Afghanistan connected with the world, and to "facilitate and coordinate evacuations," according to a tweet from NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
Several people have been killed after attempting to hold on to a plane ferrying evacuees out of Afghanistan's capital:
Criticism on the home front increased for the Biden Administration:
Biden, who said Afghan forces had to fight back against the Islamist Taliban, was due to speak on Afghanistan at 1945 GMT (3:45 p.m. EDT) after returning from the presidential retreat at Camp David.
He is facing a barrage of criticism, from even his own diplomats, over his handling of the U.S. exit, pulling out troops and then sending back thousands to help with the evacuation.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said on Twitter:
"If President Biden truly has no regrets about his decision to withdraw, then he is disconnected from reality when it comes to Afghanistan."
Republican Representative Jim Banks, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, told Fox News:
"We have never seen an American leader abdicate his responsibilities and leadership like Joe Biden has. He's in hiding. The lights are on at the White House, but nobody's home. Where is Joe Biden?"
Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby said U.S. forces were working with Turkish and other international troops to clear Kabul airport to allow international evacuation flights to resume.
Comment: Hundreds of Afghans flee to the airport as Taliban enter the city: Criticism on the home front increased for the Biden Administration: