Baghdad The US Department of Defense announced today, Monday, that about 16,000 people were evacuated during the past 24 hours from Afghanistan through Kabul Airport, with the United States accelerating efforts to complete its air bridge by the deadline of August 31.
Deputy Director of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff for Regional Operations, General Hank Taylor told reporters that 61 military, commercial and charter flights, which included a number of countries, took off from Hamid Karzai International Airport within 24 hours until Monday morning, carrying people fleeing the country after the Taliban seized power.
Of the total evacuees that day, 11,000 were taken out by US military airlifts, Taylor added.
He explained that the number of people who have been transported from Afghanistan since July on American flights has reached 42,000, including 37,000 since the start of intensive air transport operations on August 14 with the Taliban’s move to take control of Kabul.
This includes “several thousands” of US citizens, and thousands of Afghans who have worked with US forces, and who have applied for or obtained special immigrant visas.
It also includes Afghans who are seen as at risk of Taliban attacks because of their work in NGOs, media, and other jobs, according to a Pentagon spokesperson.
Kirby said that “the focus remains on completing the US evacuations by the August 31 deadline set by President Joe Biden for the US withdrawal from the country.”
Source: National Iraqi News Agency