France cannot continue Afghanistan evacuations past Friday evening, says PM Castex

Issued on: 26/08/2021 – 08:58

“As of tomorrow evening, we will no longer be able to proceed with evacuations from Kabul airport,” the French prime minister said, citing the imminent withdrawal of the US troops controlling and securing the airport, set for August 31.

The United States and allies urged people to move away from Kabul airport on Thursday due to the threat of a terror attack by Islamic State militants as Western troops hurry to evacuate as many people as possible before next Tuesday’s deadline.

New warnings emerged overnight from Western capitals about a possible threat from Afghanistan’s Islamic State group affiliate, which likely has seen its ranks boosted by the Taliban freeing prisoners across the country.

Military cargo planes leaving Kabul airport have launched flares to disrupt any potential surface-to-air missile fire as fleeing Afghan troops abandoned heavy weapons and equipment across the country in their collapse.

Outside of a missile attack, troops have also been worried about the uncontrolled, teeming crowds outside the airport. There is no formal screening process on the way to the airport as there was under Afghanistan’s former government. That means someone carrying a suicide bomb could slip by, or an explosives-laden vehicle could barrel through the crowd. 

Pressure to complete the evacuations of thousands of foreigners and Afghans who helped Western countries during the 20-year war against the Taliban has intensified, with all US and allied troops due to leave the airport on August 31.

More than 2,000 Afghans and 100 French people have been evacuated by France since the beginning of the operation last week. 

(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)