Jakarta –
Pakistan
Pakistan’s state-owned airline has suspended all flights to the Afghan capital, Kabul, due to the uncertain security situation. On Monday (16/08), spokesman Abdullah Hafeez said that Pakistan International Airlines decided to protect passengers, crew and aircraft after consultation with Afghanistan’s civil aviation authorities.
A video footage that has gone viral on social media shows chaos at Kabul International Airport on Sunday (15/08) night, with occasional gunshots and the panic of hundreds of Afghans trying to escape.
Italy
The Italian government has evacuated 70 embassy staff and employees from Kabul. The plane carrying them is scheduled to arrive in Rome on Monday (16/08) local time. The evacuation was part of Operation Italia Aquila Omnia (Eagle Ready for Anything) which was tasked with securing Italian diplomatic staff, Italian nationals, and Afghan employees and family members.
Italian journalist Francesca Mannocchi, who was also evacuated, said the plane was carrying 20 Afghan embassy employees and their families, including women and children.
Czech Republic
The Czech’s first evacuation flight has taken off from Kabul’s international airport and landed in Prague. Prime Minister Andrej Babis said 46 people had been rescued on Monday (16/08).
Those evacuated included Czech nationals, Afghan staff at the Czech embassy, and Afghan translators who assisted the Czech armed forces during NATO missions with their families.
Czech Interior Minister Jan Hamacek tweeted that the evacuation flight was successful amid the deteriorating situation in Kabul.
New Zealand
The New Zealand government sent a C-130 Hercules military transport plane to Afghanistan to assist in the evacuation of 53 of its citizens and dozens of Afghans and their close relatives who were assisting New Zealand troops.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said so far they had identified 37 Afghans who had helped, but that the number of refugees would run into the hundreds once dependents and others were included. New Zealand defense officials have planned a month-long mission involving at least 40 military personnel tasked with maintaining and protecting the aircraft.
Ardern called for the Taliban to allow people to leave in peace: “The whole world is watching,” he said.
United States of America
Dozens of countries called on all involved in the events in Afghanistan to respect and facilitate the departure of foreign nationals and Afghan citizens who wish to leave the country.
More than 60 countries issued a joint statement late Sunday (15/08) citing what they called the “deteriorating security situation” in Afghanistan. The statement released by the United States said those in power and authority across the country “bear responsibility.” and accountability for the protection of human life and property, and for the prompt restoration of security and civil order.”
The statement concluded: “The Afghan people deserve to live in safety, security and dignity. We in the international community stand ready to help them.”
South Korea
South Korea’s Foreign Ministry has temporarily closed its embassy in Kabul and evacuated most of its staff to an undisclosed third country in the Middle East.
The ministry said several diplomats, including Ambassador Choi Taeho, remained in safe locations in Afghanistan to support the evacuation of South Korean nationals in the country and that the Seoul government was cooperating with the United States and other countries to ensure their safety.
ha/hp (AP)
Watch Video: Taliban Establish Security Post in Kabul
(ita / ita)
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