FRANTIC LAST BIDE KABUL TO ESCAP
BRITISH troops were scrambling to finish their evacuation effort in Kabul last night as the situation for Afghans trying to leave became increasingly desperate.
Crowds of people, some waving their papers, surrounded the airport throughout the day amid reports that around 2,000 citizens were still waiting to be airlifted out by the UK.
Boris Johnson insisted the ‘overwhelming majority’ of those eligible had already been removed but he admitted British troops would not be able to get everyone out before Tuesday’s deadline, when allied forces must leave.
Earlier, armed forces minister James Heappey said the UK had 11 flights scheduled to leave the capital yesterday – but refused to say if it would be the final day of operations, citing security concerns.
The prime minister told reporters that the UK had helped to airlift around 15,000 people, including Britons, Afghans and citizens of other allied countries such as the US. He added: ‘In the time we have left, which may be quite short, we’ll do everything we can to get everybody else.’
But Mr Johnson said he hoped that the Taliban would allow others to leave by other means beyond the deadline, warning the militant group they risked being isolated by the international community.
‘If they want to engage with development aid, unlock those billions of funds and have a diplomatic and political relationship with the outside world, then the safe passage for those who want to come out is the key precondition.’
The frantic scenes came after the Foreign Office warned on Wednesday that British nationals should leave Kabul airport due to predictions of a terrorist attack – just hours before bomb blasts caused devastation at the site’s perimeter.