26 Aug 2021 | 12:08 AM UTC
Afghanistan: US, UK governments issue statements Aug. 25 warning citizens to avoid Kabul's International Airport /update 1
US, UK governments issue statements Aug. 25 warning citizens to avoid Kabul's International Airport in Afghanistan.
Event
On Aug. 25, the US and UK embassies in Kabul issued separate statements warning citizens of their respective countries to avoid travel to Hamid Karzai International Airport (KBL). The US statement said individuals should avoid approaching KBL unless given specific instructions from US officials to travel to the facility. The UK statement told UK citizens to avoid all travel to KBL, and to leave the facility if currently located nearby. The US advisory cited unspecified security threats, while the UK message specifically cited a "high threat of terrorist attack".
US-facilitated military evacuation flights are ongoing at KBL. Commercial flights remain suspended, though some foreign governments are using commercial airlines to facilitate evacuations. It is unclear when normally scheduled commercial flights will resume.
The US and allied military forces effectively control KBL. However, the Taliban effectively controls all ground access to the facility. Taliban forces have erected checkpoints outside the airport to control the flow of people entering. The US has facilitated some evacuations to KBL from specific points in Kabul via military helicopters in recent days.
Large crowds of people remain gathered outside Taliban checkpoints and airport gates on access roads. Taliban fighters have used violence, including discharging firearms, to control crowds. Stampedes have also occurred as people rush to enter the airport. Taliban fighters have reportedly shot at people, including those who have gotten through checkpoints without approval. US military forces have previously fired live rounds to clear crowds from the airport tarmac. In recent days violence and stampedes have killed or wounded dozens of people in Kabul. Although Taliban leadership and the US likely want to avoid direct armed conflict between their forces at KBL, clashes at the facility cannot be ruled out.
Taliban leaders had previously announced that Afghan nationals will no longer be allowed to depart from KBL for the time being. The Taliban have called for Afghans gathered outside the facility to disperse. According to the statement, Taliban forces will continue to allow foreign nationals in possession of valid passports to access KBL. Taliban leaders have also warned of unspecified consequences if US and allied forces continue military-led evacuations after Aug. 31. German officials say that the Taliban plan to allow Afghans with valid travel documents to depart the country on commercial flights following a US military withdrawal.
The Taliban are reportedly maintaining a 21:00-till-dawn curfew throughout Kabul. No one may leave their residences during curfew hours. Exemptions may be possible for emergency purposes; Taliban commanders have reportedly provided contact information for individuals seeking permission to leave their homes for essential reasons.
Several countries, including the UK and the US, have deployed thousands of soldiers to Kabul to assist in the evacuation efforts. The US and French embassies have relocated their operations to KBL to facilitate the evacuation of their diplomats, citizens, and entitled local nationals. Multiple embassies are closed or have reduced operations. Some embassies, including those of China, Pakistan, Russia, and Turkey, remain open.
Certain nations have already begun to close down their evacuation operations. Germany will reportedly conduct its final military evacuation flight and withdraw the last of its troops and equipment from Afghanistan on Thursday, Aug. 26. Beginning Aug. 27, evacuees currently temporarily sheltered in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, will be transported to Germany by commercial aircraft. Moreover, the Turkish Ministry of National Defense announced Aug. 25 that it had begun withdrawing the last of its troops and returning them to Turkey. For its part, France plans to conduct one evacuation flight on Aug. 26. It remains unclear, however, whether the French government will be performing any further such flights; Secretary of State for European Affairs Clement Beaume has stated that his country would very likely end its evacuation mission on Aug. 26.
Security
US officials have warned of potential Islamic State (IS) attacks on KBL. IS militants could attempt to carry out suicide bombings and rocket attacks at or near the facility. IS operatives could target foreigners, Taliban operatives, members of religious minority groups, and Afghans gathered near KBL.
Advice
Defer all nonessential travel to Afghanistan until evacuations end and the security situation stabilizes. Foreign nationals should strongly consider exiting the country. Maintain close contact with diplomatic representations. Check the status of routes and airport before departure. Maintain a low public profile and dress conservatively.
