Those waiting to escape Afghanistan for Canada grow more desperate as U.S. deadline approaches

TORONTO -- With the U.S. deadline for evacuation from Afghanistan fast approaching, the situation is becoming more urgent at Kabul airport for those hoping to come to Canada.“It’s not what the Canadians decided, it is what the U.S. has decided and what will be the impact on the rest of us, and all indications are this air-bridge is not going to stay open much longer,” retired MajorGeneral David Fraser, a former NATO commander, told CTV News.

U.S. President Joe Biden was pressured in a G7 meeting Tuesday to seek an extension to the Aug. 31 deadline for exiting Afghanistan. But Taliban spokespeople stated on the same day that they would not allow an extension. If evacuation flights to Canada end within days, thousands could be left behind. Among them will be five children of a former interpreter with the Canadian forces, if they can’t get to the gate on time.

“We don’t want to lose our children, we don’t want to lose our lives,” an Afghan at risk told CTV News. “If the Canadian government does not focus on that, if they don’t provide us a safe path, we are going to die, I am sure of that.” And Canadian troops on the ground may not have much leeway to help beyond their orders. In a video that appears to have been shot by Afghans waiting for aid, soldiers were seen sitting on a wall with their backs turned, just outside the Kabul airport gates.The man filming alleged that the soldiers were Canadian soldiers, and were not helping Afghans enter the airport.“Nobody is talking to us, we have documents, we have VISAs,” said the man filming. The crisis in Afghanistan has become a central question of the federal election campaign. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been accused of focusing on his campaign rather than this pressing refugee crisis.”Business of government continues, I get updates every single day on the situation in Afghanistan,” Trudeau said Tuesday. “Our officials are extraordinary heroic Canadian Forces service women, men … women and men are on the ground working incredibly hard to do everything we can to get people out alongside our allies.” Source:.ctvnews.ca