Location at Kabul airport: Desperate waiting for a seat on the plane

August 31, the planned withdrawal date for US soldiers, is approaching – and this is increasing tension among Afghans who want to leave the country. Because for many the prospects are still bad.

They don’t want to leave this place, they want out of their country. Thousands of people are still standing in front of the airport, even the constant shots over their heads cannot stop them. The fear of the Taliban seems greater than that of the bullets that could hit them. These recordings are from the Kurdish TV station Rudaw, the reporter says:

They try to drive people apart, but they are not ready. They all want to leave Afghanistan now.

You, these are Taliban security forces and US soldiers. The new rulers in Afghanistan said yesterday that they wanted to block the access road to the airport so that only foreigners could get there. Many people in front of the airport have been there for days, desperately waiting for the gates to open and let them onto the site. And many of them will never be able to get to the other side of the thick walls, they are not on the passenger lists.

And those who stand on it just fail to get to the gates – like Amir. That is not his real name, but he worked for the Bundeswehr: “There were too many people and the soldiers were totally stressed. And they could no longer control the people, then the stun grenades were used. That was a disaster, the People overran each other. Children fell to the ground and their parents couldn’t pick them up. “

Calls for help via WhatsApp

Getting through, even for those who should actually be allowed, is hardly feasible at the gates. And the closer the deadline for the airlift to end, the more the tension increases. For all people who want to get out – also for those who are far away from Kabul airport. Like in Mazar-i-Sharif, where the Bundeswehr was stationed. Former local staff from the German troops and local staff still live there.

The wife of a cook who worked in the troop kitchen pleads for help via WhatsApp: “My husband’s life is in danger. Everyone in our neighborhood knows that he worked for the Germans. Everyone is constantly asking why we are not leave the country. I wish he had never worked for the Germans. If the Taliban or the ‘Islamic State’ kidnap my husband, there will be no one left to look after me and my children. I’ve already lost my parents, I want to don’t lose my husband too. “

Helpers and organizations stay behind

The US will have to adhere to the August 31 withdrawal date. Then the US soldiers will leave the country. The last airplanes with former local personnel who are to be brought out of Afghanistan have to leave a few days in advance. The Bundeswehr could take the last flight on Thursday or Friday. This means that helpers from the German troops or organizations will then remain in Afghanistan.