The evacuation of foreign citizens in Afghanistan continues in Kabul.
The first flight with 85 people, including former Afghan collaborators of the Italian diplomatic staff and their families, will land in the afternoon at Fiumicino airport. The personnel on board were boarded at Kabul airport on an Air Force C130J that had taken off from Kuwait. After a technical stop, the flight will arrive back in Kuwait, where the passengers will be transferred to the KC 767 to be transported to Italy. Today two other C130Js will take off from Kuwait to embark about 150 other people in Kabul, who will be transported to Italy with a KC 767. “Our commitment is to work with the utmost effort to complete the evacuation plan for Afghan collaborators, activists and of those who are exposed to danger, ”declared Defense Minister Lorenzo Guerini.
The reactions of the international community
The Taliban’s relaxed statements are taken with satisfaction but with natural skepticism by the international community. A virtual G7 has been convened for next week by US President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to agree on a common strategy in the face of the delicate situation. “Biden and Johnson,” a White House note read, “discussed the need for ongoing close coordination between allies and democratic partners on future policy in Afghanistan, including ways the global community can provide further humanitarian assistance. and support for refugees and other vulnerable Afghans ”.
The United States threatens sanctions if respect for human and civil rights is lacking but remains open to dialogue with the Taliban. Intelligence, according to media reports, warned of the dangers. Three dem-led commissions are calling for an investigation in the Senate.
Trump’s attack
“The withdrawal from Afghanistan is a very important issue, but no one has managed a retreat worse than that of Joe Biden, it is the greatest shame in the history of our country”. Interviewed by Fox News, Donald Trump again lashed out against the current president, not failing to throw arrows even against George Bush for “the horrible decision to go to the Middle East”, with the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. “I know this will not make the Bush family happy, but I think it was the worst decision,” added the former president, attacking the republican political dynasty with which he was always at loggerheads during his four years in the White House. . Trump then defended the deal he made with the Taliban, saying that “we negotiated from a position of strength”, praising the commitment of the then Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo. And he criticized Biden’s way of implementing his withdrawal, saying he should have evacuated Afghan civilians and embassy personnel and other Americans “and not the military” first.
The return of the mullah
Meanwhile, Mullah Baradar, former deputy of Mullah Omar, has returned to Afghanistan after 20 years between imprisonment and exile. In Kabul the situation remains tense and many Afghans, fleeing or not, do not believe in the new course.