European countries to end evacuations in Afghanistan

European countries to end evacuations in Afghanistan
# 27 August 2021 19:58 (UTC +04:00)

Due to the deteriorating security situation following the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan nearly two weeks ago, France has joined the list of European countries deciding to end evacuation flights out of the country, according to French media outlets, APA reports citing Anadolu.

Compounding the already-escalating international crisis, two suicide bombers detonated bombs outside Kabul airport on Thursday, killing 13 US troops and nearly 100 Afghans, and wounding approximately 110 others.

ISIS-K has claimed responsibility for the attacks.

According to the head of US Central Command, Gen. Frank McKenzie, further terrorist attacks could occur ahead of Tuesday’s planned deadline for withdrawal.

French Prime Minister Jean Castex announced that France would end evacuations of its citizens by Friday evening. The government, along with fellow European nations, has continued to evacuate nationals and Afghan citizens who desire to leave in light of the Taliban takeover on Aug. 15 and the withdrawal of American and NATO forces.

“From tomorrow evening, we will no longer be able to carry out the evacuations,” said Castex on RTL Radio Thursday evening.

Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel said while evacuations with military planes have ended, they will continue efforts for local Afghan staff, their family members, and others at risk who haven’t been able to leave.

“The Foreign Ministry, and our envoy [Markus] Potzel, is holding talks with the Taliban [in Qatar],” said Merkel. “We’ll coordinate our next steps with our international partners,” she added at a Thursday evening news conference in Berlin.

Potzel’s discussions are an attempt to convince the Taliban to allow civilian airlifts over the coming weeks.

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