Today’s updates, Monday 23 August, on the Taliban and Afghanistan
Evacuation operations from Kabul airport continue amid many difficulties. The United States and allies are considering using scheduled and commercial flights to complete operations. At the same time, fear of the risk of terrorism in Afghanistan is growing: ISIS could count on 2,000 fighters and Qaedist cells are present in at least fifteen regions. Tomorrow the G7 to discuss the Afghan situation.
5.13 pm – Other American military aircraft arriving in Sigonella
The airlift between Afghanistan and the military base of Sigonella, in the province of Syracuse, continues, where new arrivals are expected in the next few hours. Yesterday 147 qualified evacuees landed at Nas Sigonella as part of the Allies Refuge operation. They arrived aboard a US Air Force KC-10 Extender from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. Two more C-17 Globemaster III aircraft are on the way. The number of people evacuated from Afghanistan and arriving at Sigonella airport rose to 662. The first group had arrived on a US Air Force KC-10 Extender from Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, then there were two more arrivals. with as many C-17 Globemaster III. Arriving people are tested for Covid-19. In addition, medical assistance has been set up to evaluate and provide assistance to anyone with injuries or other medical problems. They will be housed in two buildings of the barracks as temporary accommodation in the base, where a canteen that respects Halal religious precepts has been set up and areas for religious and recreational activities have been created. Operation Allies Refuge is the US State Department’s plan for the safe evacuation of US citizens, special immigration visa applicants and other Afghans at risk, as quickly and safely as possible. Working in collaboration with its allies in the Italian Air Force and the Italian government, the Nas Sigonella, the press office said, is serving as a transit point for the displaced before their subsequent movement to other locations.
17.10 – The Emergency staff is looking for visas to leave the country
The male and female staff who work at the Emergency hospital in Kabul continue to work but some of the collaborators are trying to obtain a visa for their family to leave Afghanistan. This was communicated by the medical coordinator of the Emergency hospital in Kabul Albero Zanin, who also said he had in any case had assurances from members of the Taliban government, met personally, that the hospital activity will not be hindered.
05.05 pm – Beat the activists of Pangea
Some women from Pangea were beaten by the Taliban. Seeing the photos with their bruises was excruciating. The children have witnessed scenes of unprecedented violence and are very frightened. It can be read on the Instagram page of the Milanese non-profit organization that has released images of the arrival at dawn of activists and their families in Kabul. From Friday Pangea has been working tirelessly to help Kabul colleagues and their families to reach the airport . Those were difficult days. The women of Pangea’s staff and their families were trapped in the crowd for hours, without water, even with very small children in their arms.
13.36 – The Taliban appoints a new head of the Central Bank
Haji Mohammad Idris, the new interim governor of the Afghan Central Bank and faced with the arduous task of putting order in the economic chaos caused by the war with the banks, has closed for more than a week and most of the government offices are deserted. This was announced by Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid
12.20 pm – Putin: It is necessary to prevent the spread of radical Islam
it is essential to avoid any spread of radical Islam in Afghanistan. Russian President Vladimir Putin said this to the leaders of Central Asian countries. During the summit, Putin focused attention on the risk posed by Islamic extremism, underlining the importance of keeping an eye on the Afghan drug trade as well. The Russian president, as the Kremlin announces, has also expressed concern that the Islamic State may have a foothold in Afghanistan, so he has proposed to other Asian leaders to coordinate joint action on the area.
9.50 am – Another 203 Afghan refugees arrived in Fiumicino
Another 203 Afghans arrived at Fiumicino airport this morning, thanks to the airlift between Afghanistan and Italy, via Kuwait, organized by the Defense.
9.46 am – Johnson will ask the US to stay beyond August 31st
At tomorrow’s G7 summit, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson pressured US President Joe Biden to postpone the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan beyond August 31 to complete the evacuations of civilians from Kabul airport. The British media reports. All this after the ultimatum of the Taliban threatening the US and its allies: If they stay after 31 we will react.
9.20 am – Harris: Committed to evacuating US citizens and Afghan allies
The main US goal in Afghanistan is to evacuate American citizens, Afghan allies and vulnerable groups after the Taliban returns to power. American Vice President Kamala Harris, during the press conference with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, said that at this time we are individually focused on the evacuation of American citizens, Afghans who have worked with us and Afghans who are vulnerable, including women. and children, Harris said, answering a reporter’s question about US efforts in Afghanistan.
8.30 – Gunfight at the airport, involving US and German soldiers
More chaos at Kabul airport. This morning, another firefight between the Afghan security forces and unidentified subjects. The confirmation comes from the official Twitter account of the German Armed Forces, the Bundeswehr. One member of the Afghan security forces was killed and three others wounded. US and German soldiers were also involved in the battle. All Bundeswehr soldiers are unharmed, the German army confirmed.
8.10 am – Taliban: If the US stays beyond August 31, we will react
While the evacuations at Kabul airport continue, the Taliban threaten the United States and allies: If the US and Great Britain try to buy time to continue the evacuations from Afghanistan, there will be consequences. These are the words of Suhail Shaheen, a spokesman for the Taliban and a member of the group’s negotiation team in an interview with Skynews in Doha. For the Taliban, in fact, President Biden’s announcement of the withdrawal of troops by August 31 is mandatory. If they extend the limit it means that they are extending the occupation and there is no need, the Taliban spokesman reiterated, stressing that if the intention to continue to occupy Afghanistan, confidence will be broken and there will be a reaction.
August 23, 2021 (change August 23, 2021 | 17:31)
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