Since the Kabul airport is closed to commercial flights, the WHO cannot fly in 500 tons of medical aid. British Prime Minister Johnson urges the US to extend the withdrawal period. All developments in the live blog.
12:47 pm
German family is stuck in Kabul
The German government wasted time in the evacuation of a German-Afghan family and thus endangered them, the Green politician Schäfer said Report Mainz and the “mirror”.
12:40 p.m.
Several injured with gunshot wounds in the hospital
After the firefight at the airport in the Afghan capital Kabul, at least six injured people with gunshot wounds were taken to hospital. This was announced by the non-governmental organization Emergency, which operates a hospital in Kabul, on Twitter. But none of the people shot were in mortal danger. Since Saturday morning, 14 seriously injured people have been admitted to the hospital, and 26 others have received emergency medical treatment.
12:37 p.m.
Boost for extremists?
Radical Islamists have been losing influence in the Arab world for years. Now there are growing concerns that the Taliban triumph could give them renewed impetus and strengthen extremists.
12:26 p.m.
The Taliban have apparently taken districts in the north
The Taliban claims to have captured three districts in the north that had fallen under the control of local militias last week. The capture of the Bano, Deh Saleh and Pul e-Hesar militias in Baghlan province was the first sign of armed resistance against the Taliban since they captured Kabul on August 15.
Taliban fighters are also stationed in Badakhshan, Tachar and Andarab near the Punjjir Valley, a spokesman for the extremists said on Twitter. Fighters who are followers of Ahmad Massud, the son of the national hero Ahmad Shah Massud, have settled in the valley northwest of Kabul. These include members of the army and special forces.
Massoud has announced resistance to the Taliban should they advance into the valley. His father Ahmad Shah Massud was a mujahideen commander in the fight against the Soviet army and leader of the resistance against the Taliban; he was killed in 2001.
Taliban fighters drive through Kabul in captured vehicles. The militias have now also brought areas in the north of the country under their control.
Image: AP
12:14 p.m.
WHO cannot fly in relief supplies
Since the Kabul airport is closed to commercial flights, the WHO cannot fly in 500 tons of medical aid. The freight included medicines for pneumonia in children and surgical equipment.
The WHO proposes that empty evacuation planes make a stopover at the WHO large camp in the United Arab Emirates en route to Afghanistan and take the goods on board.
12:14 p.m.
AKK: If necessary, negotiate with the Taliban about local staff
Federal Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer wants to get every single local employee out of Afghanistan. But there are still local staff who are not in the capital Kabul, she says on “Bild” -TV. The question therefore arises as to how one can ensure that these people can be brought to Germany safely – in a month, in half a year or maybe in a year. This is what is currently being talked about, says the CDU politician.
“If I have to sit down with the Taliban to do this – also as a government – then I will, because that is our obligation to these local staff as well.”
12:14 p.m.
Kramp-Karrenbauer assumes political responsibility
Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer assumes political responsibility for the Federal Armed Forces mission in Kabul. “Whatever happens on site: I turn my head,” she says on “Bild” -TV. “I am the owner of the authority and command, and she has to be on board at the front at the moment when such a dangerous military mission is underway – to which I also sent the people.”
When this mission is over, “then I will consider very carefully for myself what responsibility I have borne, what responsibility I have fulfilled, and where perhaps not, and what conclusions I must personally draw from it.”
12:14 p.m.
Taliban circles: Do not agree to extension of the withdrawal period
According to information from the radical Islamic organization, the Taliban will not agree to postponing the withdrawal of foreign forces beyond August 31. So far, however, no Western government has turned to the Taliban with such a request, say two representatives of the Islamists of the Reuters news agency.
12:14 p.m.
Ministry: Bundeswehr flew over 2,700 people
According to the Defense Ministry, the Bundeswehr has flown out more than 2,700 people so far. The evacuation operation continues, the ministry tweeted. “As long as possible we will fly as many as possible out of Kabul.” The situation at the airport is still very difficult.
12:14 p.m.
Great Britain is urging postponement of withdrawal
According to his administration, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson wants to urge US President Joe Biden to extend the withdrawal period beyond August 31. For such a postponement, however, the consent of the Taliban will also be required, says British Armed Forces Minister James Heappey to the radio station LBC.
This is uncertain and therefore Great Britain will initially continue to work towards August 31, in order to bring its own citizens and Afghan local staff to safety by then. Biden said last week that US troops could stay longer in Afghanistan. According to the Taliban, however, the date is currently August 31. Prime Minister Johnson will chair a virtual G7 meeting on Tuesday.