‘Mission aimed only at ensuring safe departures’
(ANSA) – WASHINGTON, AUG 15 – The US army will take over air traffic control at the airport, where almost all the diplomatic personnel have been transferred, including the US ambassador to Afghanistan Ross Wilson. “In the next 48 hours, we will have extended our presence to nearly 6,000 military personnel” aimed solely “at assuming air traffic control,” said a note from the Pentagon and the State Department. “Tomorrow (Monday) and in the next few days we will move thousands of US citizens out of the country … as well as local personnel from the US mission in Kabul and their families, and other vulnerable Afghans.” Shortly before, the US flag had been removed from the buildings that housed the offices of the US embassy.
“We are completing a series of measures to secure Hamid Karzai International Airport to allow for the safe departure of US and Allied personnel from Afghanistan via civilian and military flights,” the Pentagon and State Department said in a joint statement. .
The United States, on behalf of more than 65 nations, then urged the Taliban who regained power in Afghanistan to let Afghans who so wish can leave the country, warning that it will hold them responsible for any abuses. “The United States joins the international community in saying that Afghans and international citizens who wish to leave must be able to do so,” wrote US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Twitter.
(ANSA).