Afghanistan: Islamic State threat forces US changes to evacuations at Kabul airport
- A US official says Americans will be told what to do, including to move to transit points where they can be gathered up by the military
- More than 7,000 people have been evacuated from Afghanistan to Qatar, while at least seven people have died while attempting to flee
The official said that small groups of Americans and possibly other civilians will be given specific instructions on what to do, including movement to transit points where they can be gathered up by the military. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss military operations.
Officials declined to provide more specifics about the Isis threat but described it as significant. They said there had been no confirmed attacks as yet.
In his remarks on the situation on Friday, he did not commit to extending it, though he did issue a new pledge to evacuate not only all Americans in Afghanistan, but also the tens of thousands of Afghans who have aided the war effort since September 11, 2001. That promise would dramatically expand the number of people the US evacuates.
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Thousands fleeing Afghanistan struggle to enter Kabul airport
Biden faces growing criticism as videos depict pandemonium and occasional violence outside the airport, and as vulnerable Afghans who fear the Taliban’s retaliation send desperate pleas not to be left behind.