The Taliban are refusing to allow several planes with American and Afghan evacuees to leave. They are being held hostage to “get more out of the American” government.
Summary
Several hundred people seeking to escape Afghanistan were stopped by the Taliban with no explanation.
- Rep. Michael McCaul said yesterday that six flights, with American citizens and Afghan allies, were being held hostage by the Taliban at an Afghan airport.
- The State Department is being urged to partner with non-profit and international groups to arrange private charters to get the remaining Americans and Afghan allies out of the country.
- The White House Chief of Staff said on Sunday there are roughly 100 Americans left to be evacuated (the American military airlift ended on Aug. 30).
- Afghans left behind by the Biden administration were U.S. Embassy contractors, Special Immigrant Visa applicants, and Afghan military personnel, some of whom had not heard from the American embassy since Aug. 15.
- The New York Times noted these grounded flights have been subject to days of negotiations between the U.S. and the Taliban.
- The Washington Post highlighted the plight of “vulnerable” Afghans who had not been evacuated.
- According to Slate, with the American withdrawal, General Mark Milley said the conditions are ripe for civil war and a “resurgence” of terrorist groups hiding in and operating from Afghanistan.
- OANN reported on the White House’s top staffer pledging to get everyone out, saying the United States will have to rely on Qatar for assistance.
- The Daily Wire highlighted recently released satellite footage showing six airplanes at Mazr-i-Sharif airport not being allowed to take off, quoting a source: “the Taliban is basically holding them hostage to get more out of the Americans.”
- Breitbart highlighted an interview a California woman stranded in Afghanistan gave to Voice of America, in which she alleged the Taliban began “hunting Americans” after the U.S. military left.
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© Dallas Gerber, 2021
