Biden Describes Evacuation From Afghanistan as ‘Largest Airlift of People in History’

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – US President Joe Biden has described in a phone conversation with Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani the evacuation of people from Afghanistan following the fall of Kabul as the “largest airlift of people in history,” the White House said.

Qatar currently serves as a transit country for thousands of US citizens, Afghans and people from other countries, who are being evacuated on US transport aircraft.

“The President noted that this is the largest airlift of people in history and that it would not have been possible without the early support from Qatar to facilitate the transfer of thousands of people daily,” the White House said in a statement on late Friday.

Biden also thanked Al Thani for the Qatari role in facilitating the intra-Afghan negotiations.

“The two leaders underscored the importance of continued close coordination on developments in Afghanistan and the broader Middle East, and they welcomed the upcoming summit of regional states to be held in Baghdad towards the end of the month,” the statement added.

The Taliban* entered Kabul on August 15, ending a weeks-long offensive and resulting in the collapse of the US-backed government.

Internationally recognized Afghan President Ashraf Ghani resigned and left the country for the United Arab Emirates. The seizure of power has forced thousands of Afghans to seek escape from the country for fear of reprisals from the militants.

* A terrorist organization banned in Russia