Status: 15.08.2021 3:01 p.m.
The US has started to fly out its embassy staff in Kabul – only a few staff are said to remain in a diplomatic facility at the airport. Local Afghan workers are also to be brought out of the country.
According to media reports, the US has started evacuating the American embassy in the Afghan capital, Kabul. The process was “in full swing” and should be completed by Tuesday morning at the latest, reported the CNN station, citing an unnamed US government official.
Diplomatic and civilian workers
CNN had previously reported that helicopters were taking employees from the embassy to the airport. The “New York Times” also reported that the USA had started to bring diplomatic and civilian employees out of Kabul.
According to the plan, the embassy staff should first be brought to safety, followed by US citizens and then holders of special immigrant visas for the USA, writes CNN.
It is being examined whether people who are currently in the process of applying for their visas can also be taken out of the country, as can Afghan nationals who work in the US embassy.
A handful of embassy employees should remain in Kabul for the time being. The “New York Times” reported, citing a high-ranking official, that they will be taken to a diplomatic facility at the airport. They are supposed to stay there indefinitely. According to CNN, the embassy building is to be completely evacuated.
The Bundeswehr wants to begin evacuating German citizens and Afghan local staff from Kabul on Monday.