The ongoing process of the Taliban’s takeover in Afghanistan is a source of trouble for Afghans as well as international communities. Since Afghanistan is a landlocked nation, only air and road travel is possible there. Hours after the Taliban boosted up its control in the Hamid Karzai International Airport, two blasts have been reported.
The deadline for the evacuation of people is approaching. The Taliban has cleared its stance that it will not tolerate any extension of the deadline. Amidst this, the defence department of the United States of America has confirmed explosions outside the Kabul airport.
Speaking about the evacuation routes, the Hamid Karzai International Airport is arguably the only safest place for countries to reach out to the people stranded in Afghanistan.
Earlier on Wednesday, John Kirby, the press secretary of the Pentagon said, ‘The Taliban have bolstered their own security at their checkpoints and have gotten involved in crowd control… every day is a different day, and yesterday we estimated that crowds were about half the size they had been the previous days. We still haven’t seen them rise to the level they were in the early days of this. But yes, part of the reason is, certainly that the Taliban have strengthened their measures of access and control around the field.’
The president of the US, Joe Biden, is adamant about his decision to withdraw US troops from Afghanistan. Despite being under pressure from his allies, such as Britain, France and Germany, to extend the deadline of 31st August, Biden stands firm on his decision.
On evacuation, Biden says, “The sooner we can finish, the better. Each day of operations brings added risk to our troops.”
Explosions Outside Hamid Karzai International Airport: Kabul
John Kirby made it clear that after 31st August, the USA won’t be responsible for the Kabul airport management.
He says, “I won’t speak for their intentions one way or another going forward, but there’s not going to be when the mission is over and when we are leaving the airport, the airport will not be the US’ responsibility anymore.
How it gets managed going forward will be something that the Taliban…will have to manage on their own with — and I assume with, you know, with the international community. But that won’t be an American responsibility.”
He adds, “That communication happens literally every day. We have been nothing but open with the Taliban about who we expect them to let in. Again, fully recognise that not every step of this process is in our firm control and that there are going to be incidences where it doesn’t work as advertised.”
However, despite the communication processes and the given condition of evacuation, two explosions are reported today.
Kirby tweeted, ‘We can confirm an explosion outside Kabul airport. Casualties are unclear at this time. We will provide additional details when we can.
We can confirm that the explosion near the Abbey Gate of the Kabul airport has resulted in an unknown number of casualties. We will continue to update.’
Just an hour ago his tweet made it clear that both US and civilians casualties are found. Read his tweet below:
‘We can confirm that the explosion at the Abbey Gate was the result of a complex attack that resulted in a number of US & civilian casualties. We can also confirm at least one other explosion at or near the Baron Hotel, a short distance from Abbey Gate. We will continue to update.’
Suicide Bombing Suspected
Biden has also hinted earlier as he said, ‘Every day we’re on the ground is another day we know that Isis-K ( Islamic State Khorasan), is seeking to target the airport, attack both US and allied forces, and innocent civilians.’
Now, after two explosions, that too before the deadline, can invite severe reactions from the international community. Including children, initial reports suggest that 13 people were killed in the Hamid Karzai International Airport blast.
Further developments are awaited.