Rescue operation in Afghanistan: “Unfortunately we no longer have that in our hands”

Chancellor Merkel has emphasized that the task now is to bring local workers from Afghanistan to safety. However, she admitted that this was not easy. The situation was previously misjudged. The countries to which people are fleeing must be given financial aid quickly.

Chancellor Angela Merkel has dampened hopes that Afghan local staff will be accepted in Germany. Merkel announced at a press conference in Berlin that Germany would do everything possible to bring local workers from Kabul to safety. At the same time she admitted: “Unfortunately we no longer have that in our hands.” Whether the evacuations can be carried out depends “on the situation in Kabul”.

If possible, around 1000 people who have worked with German government development aid organizations and 500 others who have worked with non-governmental organizations such as Welthungerhilfe should also be brought out of the country. 1900 of the local workers identified by the Bundeswehr in a first group are already in Germany or safe third countries.

A German military aircraft of the type A400M was approaching Kabul in the evening, but was unable to land due to the tense situation at the airport. He evaded to Uzbekistan.

Close coordination with the EU planned

Merkel said that she was working with French President Emmanuel Macron to ensure close coordination of the EU in order to react to developments in Afghanistan. You spoke to Macron on the phone. There will be a meeting of EU foreign and interior ministers on Wednesday. The heads of government are also in contact with each other and discuss when a special European council is necessary. It is about the necessary help for the neighboring states of Afghanistan in view of the expected refugee movements. The federal cabinet will also be advised on Wednesday.

Merkel made it clear that the German government did not intend to take in a large number of refugees from Afghanistan in Germany. She had previously said that she expected a growing number of refugees.

“Our main goal is to provide perspective to those who have directly helped us,” she clarified. Others would have to see to it that they “find a safe place to stay” in the region. Therefore one should not repeat mistakes of the past, she stressed in front of the press. In other situations, for example, not enough funds would have been released to the UN refugee agency UNHCR and Welthungerhilfe. That should be different this time.

“Bitter, Dramatic and Terrible”

Merkel also drew a critical conclusion of the international military operation in Afghanistan. The almost 20-year mission was “not as successful as we planned,” she said. “That is a realization that is bitter.” The allies would have to admit “that these were not successful efforts”.

“This development is bitter, dramatic and terrible, especially for the people in Afghanistan,” said the Chancellor. The situation is “terrible for the millions of Afghans who have campaigned for a free society”.

Like Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, Merkel admitted that they had all misjudged developments and thought they would have more time to find solutions.

Increasing number of refugees expected

The Federal Ministry of the Interior had already said during the day that it was preparing for an increasing number of refugees from Afghanistan. “We must certainly assume that the local people will move and that the situation on the ground will lead to migration,” said a spokeswoman. She did not give details on the expected number of refugees.

Laschet calls for a robust mandate

CDU chief Armin Laschet had called for the evacuation operation of the Bundeswehr to be given a robust mandate. The Federal Cabinet wanted to decide on Wednesday, then there would have to be a parliamentary resolution to back the Bundeswehr, said the Union Chancellor candidate.

At the same time, he warned of the consequences of a high number of refugees and refused a promise from Germany to accept Afghan refugees who are expected after the Taliban come to power. “I believe that we shouldn’t send out the signal now that Germany can basically take in everyone who is now in need,” he said after deliberations between the presidium and the national executive committee of his party. “The focus must be on providing humanitarian aid on site, now this time in good time – unlike in 2015.”

Mediterranean neighbors appeal to the EU

Five southern EU states had also warned of a sharp rise in the number of refugees. The EU must therefore urgently discuss “possible effects on migration in the countries of first reception and in the European Union”.

This is what Greece, Italy, Spain, Malta and Cyprus are calling for, and they have taken in most of the migrants – including from Afghanistan – in recent years. Since then, the redistribution in the EU has repeatedly caused controversy.