Kabul, Afghanistan — US security forces halted all military and civilian flights at Afghan capital Kabul’s airport on Monday after crowds of civilians surged onto the runways, the Pentagon said.
Two armed Afghan men were killed by US forces occupying Hamid Karzai International Airport as thousands sought to board flights to flee the takeover of the country by the Taliban.
“There are no flights coming or going, military or civilian, and this is because of large crowds that are still on the tarmac,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told reporters.
“US military forces are on the scene working alongside Turkish and other international troops to clear the area of people. We do not know how long this will take,” Kirby said.
He said it could be hours before flights restart.
He pinned the blame for the chaos on the Afghan leadership, much of which has already fled the country.
“You can resource, you can train, you can support, you can advise, you can assist. You cannot buy will, you cannot purchase leadership, and leadership was missing,” he said.
— More US soldiers —
Kirby said a third battalion of US soldiers would be deployed to the airport as Washington seeks to evacuate embassy personnel and as many as 30,000 Afghans and their families, people who worked with US forces, many as translators, and who are seeking refuge in the United States.
That could take the number of US troops in the country back up to around 6,000 in the coming days.
“Our focus is on making sure that we can get the security at the airport restored, we can get flights going in and out again, and we can start to process people to get them on flights,” Kirby said.
Afghan people climb atop a plane as they wait at the Kabul airport hoping to leave the country.
The US has already carried out dozens of flights of its giant C-17 cargo jets, which can carry several hundred people at a time.
But on Monday videos taken from the airport showed hundreds of Afghans flooding onto the runways and trying to impede the takeoff of one of the US transports.
Local reports said several were killed, some possibly falling from the plane after it took off.
Kirby did not confirm the deaths but said of the videos, “that’s why we want to restore a safe and secure environment so that nobody else can get hurt.”
He confirmed that Central Command General Kenneth McKenzie — the top US military officer in the Middle East — warned the Taliban in Doha on Sunday not to interfere with US evacuation operations.
McKenzie told them “that any attack on our operations or people will be met with a forceful response,” Kirby said.
“We have not seen an attack occur,” he added.
Support The Liberty Loft by donating via PayPal or donate with crypto. Your support helps us achieve our mission to deliver conservative news and opinion. You can find us on a wide variety of social media channels or subscribe to our notifications to receive all the latest information as it is released.
577468 659180amazing post. Neer knew this, regards for letting me know. 787716
Thank you for your sharing. I am worried that I lack creative ideas. It is your article that makes me full of hope. Thank you. But, I have a question, can you help me?
128153 679738The the next time I just read a weblog, I genuinely hope that this doesnt disappoint me approximately brussels. Get real, Yes, it was my option to read, but I genuinely thought youd have some thing intriguing to say. All I hear is typically a couple of whining about something which you could fix when you werent too busy looking for attention. 722178
372621 135811Thanks for the post. I like your writing style – Im trying to start a weblog myself, I feel I may well read thru all your posts for some suggestions! Thanks once a lot more. 51961
451769 848692As I web site possessor I believe the content matter here is rattling magnificent , appreciate it for your hard work. You should keep it up forever! Very best of luck. 629062
991663 806575Id require to consult you here. Which isnt some thing Which i do! I enjoy reading a post that can make individuals feel. Also, appreciate your allowing me to comment! 947142
145031 716637For anyone among the lucky peoples, referring purchase certain products, and in addition you charm all with the envy of all the the a lot of any other men and women about you that tend to have effort as such make a difference. motor movers 746000
538272 240339You produced some decent points there. I looked online for your dilemma and located a lot of people will go together with with the site. 439238
145891 543254The electronic cigarette uses a battery and a small heating component the vaporize the e-liquid. This vapor can then be inhaled and exhaled 858253
404179 305115Fantastic post. I appreciate your attention to this subject and I learned a lot 506318
678106 45621Truly instructive and superb structure of articles, now thats user friendly (:. 919468
583299 680620Aw, this was a truly nice post. In thought I would like to place in writing in this way moreover – taking time and actual effort to create a really great article but what / items I say I procrastinate alot and also no indicates apparently get something done. 591385
920020 107182Wow, superb blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging look easy. The overall appear of your internet site is magnificent, as properly as the content material! xrumer 747328