Due to the threat of an attack by an affiliate of the ISIL (ISIS) armed group, the US and its allies have warned civilians to flee Kabul airport.
The US and its allies have staged one of the largest air evacuations in history, taking out more than 88,000 people in the 11 days since the Taliban occupied Kabul. According to the US military, planes take off every 39 minutes.
Thousands of people hoping to flee a Taliban-ruled Afghanistan have flocked to the airport, which has been guarded by Taliban fighters.
According to Charlotte Bellis of Al Jazeera, roughly 1,500 US passport holders who were supposed to be evacuated remained in Kabul.
“The United States and the Taliban have reached an agreement. “The Taliban are under tight orders not to let anyone through without a passport, a green card, or validated paperwork, and there is some uncertainty over what constitutes a verified document,” she said.
She also stated that Kandahar airport had reopened, raising the prospect of international flights even if Kabul airport closes or experiences a disruption.
The US military confirmed Thursday that a large explosion occurred outside the Kabul airport in Afghanistan, as the US-led airlift of thousands continued inside the compound.
“We can confirm an explosion outside Kabul airport. Casualties are unclear at this time. We will provide additional details when we can,” said Pentagon Spokesman John Kirby.
We can confirm an explosion outside Kabul airport. Casualties are unclear at this time. We will provide additional details when we can.
— John Kirby (@PentagonPresSec) August 26, 2021
