West warns of possible attack at Kabul airport amid airlift

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By ZIARMAL HASHIMI, JILL LAWLESS and JON GAMBRELL

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Western nations warned Thursday of a possible attack on Kabul’s airport, where thousands have flocked as they try to flee Taliban-controlled Afghanistan in the waning days of a massive airlift. Britain said an attack could come within hours.

Several countries urged people to avoid the airport, with Belgium saying there was a threat of a suicide bombing. But with just days left before the evacuation effort ends and American troops withdraw, few appeared to heed the call.

Over the last week, the airport has been the scene of some of the most searing images of the chaotic end of America’s longest war and the Taliban’s takeover, as flight after flight landed to pull out those who fear a return to the militants’ brutal rule.

Already, some countries have ended their evacuations and begun to withdraw their soldiers and diplomats, likely signaling the beginning of the end of one of history’s largest airlifts. The Taliban have so far honored a pledge not to attack Western forces during the evacuation, but insist the foreign troops must be out by America’s self-imposed deadline of Aug. 31.



In this image provided by the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Air Force loadmasters and pilots assigned to the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, load people being evacuated from Afghanistan onto a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021. (Master Sgt. Donald R. Allen/U.S. Air Force via AP)


Read more: https://apnews.com/article/europe-france-evacuations-kabul-9e457201e5bbe75a4eb1901fedeee7a1

[no_hypocrisy]

1. First rule of the Taliban: THERE ARE NO RULES

[Sherman A1]

2. I would hope that B-52s are on standby

And that the Taliban understand that they are just over the horizon.

[onetexan]

3. Agree, i'm sure our troops & military leaders are on constant high alert. Let's pray evacs will

go well & complete by 8/30, and those who can't get to the airport can be escorted or airlifted to safety.
If any Americans or foreign nationals don't want to leave that would be on them.

[wnylib]

6. From what I am hearing on news reports, the threat is not

from the Taliban but from Isis. The concern is that Isis will slip a suicice bomber into the crowd outside the airport. Much harder for them to get someone inside the airport, but that is also a concern. NPR says the Dutch have ended their evacuation efforts. France will pull out tomorrow.

Blinken says there are about 1500 Americans who were not able to get to the airportnand have not been picked up yet by US escorts or helicopters. They have been warned not to go to the airport themselves.

UK intel says reports of the threat are very credible.

I have no doubt at all that the US will continue to do all that it takes to get every American out, even if it takes special ops after the 31st.

[gab13by13]

4. Remember, this all started

because of Trump's 2020 surrender agreement with the Taliban. Every time I talk with right wingers about Afghanistan that's what I call it, a "Talibam surrender agreement."

Please use this term when speaking of Afghanistan, make it go viral.

[Sherman A1]

7. It all started with George Bush

Putting troops on the ground, with no clear mission or exit strategy.

[Shanti Shanti Shanti]

5. News says 36 hrs left for civilian airlift, then a few days to get 6000 troops and govt workers out

Then they can blow each other up all they want, it will all dissolve into tribal fights again with no outside enemy.

[abqtommy]

8. Yes, this morning I read on several of the international news sites I visit

that it is an ISIS-aligned group in Afghanistan making these threats of suicide
bombings. Whoever has negotiated a "peaceful government transition" by The
Taliban has failed to understand that The Taliban is NOT in control of the country.
Is anyone surprised?

[greenjar_01]

9. "West" "Western nations"

[Bayard]

10. Not helpful

If they have information, they should pass it to our military, not give it press.

"Urged people to avoid the airport". Then, how are we supposed to get them out of there? We can't go pick up everyone by helicopter.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

11. How long before the Apaches and Stinger IIs arrive? n/t