- Sputnik International, 1920, 24.01.2023
Asia
Find top stories and features from Asia and the Pacific region. Keep updated on major political stories and analyses from Asia and the Pacific. All you want to know about China, Japan, North and South Korea, India and Pakistan, Southeast Asia and Oceania.

Fire Reportedly Erupts at Kabul Airport Amid Mass Evacuation - Video

© REUTERS / Italian Ministry of DefenceAfghan evacuees queue before boarding Italy's military aircraft C130J during the evacuation at Kabul's airport, Afghanistan, August 22, 2021. Italian Ministry of Defence/Handout via REUTERS
Afghan evacuees queue before boarding Italy's military aircraft C130J during the evacuation at Kabul's airport, Afghanistan, August 22, 2021. Italian Ministry of Defence/Handout via REUTERS - Sputnik International, 1920, 23.08.2021
Subscribe
Early in the morning, the airport - which at present is being used for the evacuation of foreign nationals, as well as for Afghans fleeing the Taliban - suffered an attack by unidentified assailants. A member of the Afghan Security Forces was killed and three others were injured as a result of the assault.
Several videos emerged online allegedly showing the fire which broke out at Kabul airport as the US and other western states continue their evacuation efforts there.
The cause of the alleged fire, and whether there were any casualties at the airport, as yet remain unknown.
Earlier in the day, a group of unidentified assailants attacked the airport which at present is in the hands of US and NATO forces with the assistance of the remaining Afghan security forces. The attackers killed one member of the Afghan Security Forces and injured three more. The reason for their attack remains a mystery.
The early morning assault took place as the US and other countries withdraw their citizens from Afghanistan after it had been rapidly seized by the Taliban* with the exception of a few resisting provinces. Hundreds of Afghans, who are fleeing the Taliban, flocked to the airport as well, trying to escape from the country by boarding one of the departing NATO planes.
A convoy of Afghan Special Forces is seen during the rescue mission of a police officer besieged at a check post surrounded by Taliban, in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, July 13, 2021. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui - Sputnik International, 1920, 23.08.2021
World
Afghan Security Forces Member Killed in Gunfight With 'Unknown' Assailants at Kabul Airport
Even though 30,000 people have already been taken out of the country, many more remain at the overcrowded airport. The US earlier deployed extra troops to help moving Afghans out of the country and lobbied commercial airlines on 22 August to help with the effort. Washington planned to complete withdrawal by 31 August, but the Taliban seized Kabul without a fight after a blitz offensive on 15 August. Now, the US fears it might need additional time to wrap up the chaotic evacuation, while the Taliban warns the NATO countries not to stay for too long.
*The Taliban is a terrorist organisation banned in Russia
Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала