The Biden administration was caught by surprise with the speed of the Taliban offensive across the country and how rapidly the insurgents occupied Kabul. It had to quickly put together a non-combatant evacuation operation (NEO) to rescue its Kabul embassy personnel, American citizens, foreign diplomats, Afghan interpreters, and other Afghans associated with the U.S. effort in Afghanistan. Other nations quickly joined the effort to evacuate their citizens and Afghan workers.
Hundreds of AMCITs and LPRs Left in Afghanistan. Veteran-led rescue groups say the Biden administration's estimate that 'around a hundred' U.S. citizens were left behind in Afghanistan is too low and also overlooks hundreds of other people they consider to be equally important: permanent legal residents with green cards. The State Department said that those AMCITs and LPRs left behind have been contacted and told to expect further details about routes out once those have been arranged. See "Rescue groups: US tally misses hundreds left in Afghanistan", AP News, September 3, 2021. There are more than a thousand evacuees (some reports say 2,000) in at the Mazar-e-Sharif airport waiting to board at least six planes lacking clearance to take off - the wait has been more than a week for some.
Embassy Workers and Commandos Left Behind. As many as 2,000 U.S. Embassy contractors and immediate family members were left behind in Kabul as the embassy staff fled to the Kabul airport. Many have worked at the embassy for more than a decade. They are among the many that are considered "at-risk" - students who attended the American University of Afghanistan, applicants for a Special Immigrant Visa, and members of Afghanistan's special forces and commandos. "U.S. Embassy contractors, visa applicants among Afghans left behind after one of the largest airlifts in history", The Washington Post, September 5, 2021. (subscription)
Kabul Airport Now Open. The Kabul airport has reopened for domestic flights - although it is operating with no radar or navigation systems in place. Qatari technical officials have prepared the airport for international humanitarian flights. Seven flights flew on Saturday and three were planned for Sunday. Commerical international flights will likely not happen until the radar and navigation systems are fully operational - there are flight insurance and international aviation guidelines that are factored into that event. Read more in "Kabul airport reopens for domestic flights with no radar as Taliban battle resistance fighters in last holdout", The Washington Post, September 5, 2021.
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Heather Neef, assigned to U.S. Air Force 7th Reconnaissance Squadron, waves goodbye to evacuees from Afghanistan as they prepare to board a bus before departing Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella, Sept. 4, 2021.
(U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Erika L. Kugler)
MeS Airport. Some news reports say there are six planes 'stuck' on the ground at the airport in Mazar-e-Sharif. There are a few thousand people - some Americans and some Afghan citizens hoping to board those chartered planes. One of the aircraft involved has an association with Eric Montalvo of the Federal Practice Group - it was chartered to fly some 300 people from MeZ to Doha. There are various groups trying to get some Afghans out - one is the Ascend group - an NGO attempting to evacuate about 100 Afghan Hazara girls. Read more in "U.S. Citizens and Afghans Wait for Evacuation Flights From Country's North", The New York Times, September 5, 2021. (subcription) Some suspect that the Taliban are using the planes and passengers at MeS as a bargaining chip with the U.S. Department of State. The DoS isn't really providing much detail on the situation . . . other than their very bland and informative statements. More detail about this sad situation is provided in an article entitled "State Dept blocking private rescue flights from leaving Afghanistan, organizers say: 'Blood is on their hands'", Fox News, September 5, 2021. Kathy Gannon provides her perspective in "Taliban stop planes of evacuees from leaving but unclear why", AP News, September 4, 2021.
WhatsApp Fined. Ireland's Data Protection Commission has fined WhatsApp US$267 million for violating the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). CyberSecurity Connect, September 3, 2021.
'Burn Your Jerseys'. Once symbol of a new Afghanistan - they had leave in a daring evacuation plan. Read "Afghanistan's Women's Soccer Team Knew It Had To Get Out.", The Wall Street Journal, September 3, 2021. (subscription)
Who Are These Afghans? Thousands of Afghans have arrived and more are coming. Certainly among those who boarded planes in Kabul were American citizens and many were Lawful Permanent Residents with a Green Card. But the vast majority were not in either of those groups. So just who are they? Originally, the intent of the military and State Department was to board Afghans who had immigrant visas (for family reunification, etc.) or a Special Immigrant Visa (approved) for Afghans who worked with the U.S. military or a U.S. government organization. It may be the vast majority of the Afghans are just people seeking an escape from the Taliban and an opportunity to live in America. The Afghans that served the U.S. as interpreters and in other roles? Most are still in Afghanistan. Read more in "Afghan resettlement raises the question: Who is coming to the U.S.?", The Washington Post, September 5, 2021. (subscription)
Sunday, September 5, 2021
UN Humanitarian Flights. Social media is picking up on the news that the UN may soon conduct humanitarian flights. Bringing in needed supplies for humanitarian organizations and flying out people who are manifested by humanitarian groups. The United Nations Humanitarian Air Service operated by the World Food Programme (WFP) will be operating flights in and out of Mazar-e-Sharif and Kandahar to Islamabad. Flight bookins are open for all UNHAS Afghanistan registered user organizations. Humanitarian organizations registered with the UNHAS can register passengers utilizing the United Nations Booking Hub.
Charter Planes in MeS. There are several planes at the MeS airport in northern Afghanistan that were flown in by private sector organizations. For a variety of reasons they have not been granted permission to leave the airport. Fingers are pointed at the Taliban, State Department, as well as other factors. A wide range of groups are attempting to get the DoS to do a little coordination but many suspect that State is part of the problem. Meanwhile some 2,000 people are in a 'wait status'. Some social media reports state that the Taliban want a huge payoff from the charter flights before allowing them to fly out. Representative Mike Waltz - a Green Beret with two tours in Afghanistan - is urging Secretary of State Blinken to clear private evacuation flights out of Afghanistan. (Reuters, Sep 5, 2021).
Domestic Flights. Ariana Afghan Airlines has resumed some flights in Afghanistan between Kabul and three major provincial cities. A Qatar technical team has assisted in reopening the kabul airport for aid and domestic services. You can check the current flight status at the link provided above. Kam Air is reported to have resumed domestic flights. Qatar is reported to have resumed international flights between Qatar and Kabul.
The U.S. and Humanitarian Parole. Tens of thousands of Afghans who supported American efforts in Afghanistan are stranded and in fear for their lives. President Biden has left the SIV (approved or pending) and those with P-1 and P-2 status behind with no clear path to safety. The U.S. should make it easier to apply for humanitarian parole - allowing Afghans to stay safely in the U.S. while their SIV visas or P-1 or P-2 designation is being processed. Read more in "Humanitarian Parole Can Save Afghan Allies. The U.S. Should Let Them Use It", Forbes, September 1, 2021.
Kabul NEO and the 21st TSC. The U.S. Army has been supporting the Afghanistan noncombatant evacuation operation across several sites in Europe. One organization assisting is the 21st Theater Sustainment Command - working with the Air Force, Red Cross, USAID, and the Department of State.The 21st TSC helped to facilitate temporary lodging and onward movement of Afghanistan evacuees. Read more in "21st TSC assist Afghan Evacuees", DVIDS, September 4, 2021.
NOLB Request For Assistance Form. The non-profit organization No One Left Behind (NOlB) has a "NOLB Request for Assistance Form" that allows Afghans to input information into the NOLB data base. The form is for any SIV,SIV in process, or SIV eligible person and their familiy that needs to be evacuated from Afghanistan.
Team America Relief - Refugee Data Form. If you are still trying to flee Afghanistan, or you are in another country waiting to be naturalized into the United States, and you would like Team America to advocate on your behal or just store your digital documents for later access, then complete the Refugee Data Form.
Poland and Evacuees. Over 100 Afghan evacuees have arrived in Poznan, Poland. The country will host up to 500 Afghans who worked for NATO until they are resettled to permanent homes in other countries. Poland has agreed to accept at least 50 Afghans permanently.
Tent City at Ramstein Air Base
Ramstein Air Base and Evacuees. A humanitarian city has emerged on the Ramstein flight line house 15K evacuees. The U.S. military and other organizations are providing 25K meals and 50K bottles of water a day. In addition, 500 tents, toilet facilities, and medical care is provided.
Chesty Puller and German Buses. A few families were able to navigate through the mass of humanity by displaying signs easily recognizable to Marines. The saga of 'the German buses' is told in this news report as well. "A Legendary Marine's Name as Code: The Ad Hoc Network That Helped Rescue Afghans", NPR, September 4, 2021.
NDS - Flown Out of Kabul. According to U.S. and former Afghan officials, the CIA-trained Afghans from the National Directorate of Security (NDS) made a deal with the Americans at HKIA-N. They would provide security in return for being airlifted out of the country. Read more in "Amid Desperation at kabul Airport, Evacuation Picks Up Pace", The New York Times, August 29, 2021. (subscription)
A Near Miss. An RAF pilot missed smashing his aircraft into a bus carrying evacuees at Kabul airport by about 10 feet after a vehicle steered onto the runway as he was taking off. Sky News, September 4, 2021.
Video - "Will I end up dying here?". A 25 year old U.S. citizen worries on her fate now that she has been left behind in this 3 minute video. "American Stuck in Afghanistan Shares Her Story", VOA News.
KSK and 160th Team Up for Rescue Missions. "Night Stalker Little Bird Helicopters Flew German Commandos On Kabul Misson", The War Zone, August 25. Germany's KSK and the 160th SOAR joined forces to evacuate foreigners deep in Taliban-controlled Kabul. The Germans had a pair of SOF-modified Airbus H145M helicopters on HKIA-N to support their mission - but it is unknown if they were used.
CIA and Its Spies. The agency has a long history of extracting people from danger zones. Read how the Central Intelligence Agency evacuated most of its spies from Afghanistan. (Foreign Policy, Sep 3, 2021). (subscription)
Refugee Camp. Some Afghans are finding their way across the border and are now in makeshift camps on the Pakistani side. Hopefully humanitarian assistance is on the way.
Task Force Pineapple. A network of special operations veterans and contacts on the ground came together to evacuate American citizens and Afghan allies. Task Force Pineplle is now moving to the next phase of their operations - getting hundreds of Americans left behind in Afghanistan to safety. "Pineapple Express to Launch Phase II for Americans Left in Afghanistan", Brietbart, September 2, 2021.
The Fight Continues? Remnants of the Afghan security forces are continuing their defense of the Panjshir Valley. The Taliban have moved thousands of their fighters to the area in an attempt to dislodge the resistance. Numerous messages by the Taliban state they have achieved victory but apparently . . . not quite yet. With the departure of President Ashraf Ghani the current vice president, Amrullah Saleh, has become Acting President under Afghan law.
Biden's Reputation - Taking a Hit. The after action reviews on the collapse of the Afghan government and the mess at the Kabul airfield is going to be a permanent aspect of President Biden's first year in office. Peggy Noonan writes that The Afghan Fiasco Will Stick to Biden in the Wall Street Journal (Sep 2, 2021). The Biden administration is taking efforts to minimize the fall of the Afghan government to the Taliban and the close association that the Taliban have with al Qaeda. The 'big threat', apparently, is not a Taliban regime providing sanctuary to al Qaeda but the presence of the Islamic State in Afghanistan. However, most observers believe that ISKP is an exaggerated threat. (ORF, Aug 29, 2021).
Milley on Possible Afghan Civil War and Terrorist Threat. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said that maintaining U.S. security and intelligence in the region around Afghanistan will be a more difficult task. He states that a civil war in the country is likely and it could lead to the reconstitution of al Qaeda. A broader civil war could provide the conditions to terrorist groups to thrive. He said that the U.S. will need to reestablish some human intelligence networks - and maintain the capability to conduct strike operations. (Fox News, Sep 4, 2021).
U.S. Army Soldier from 18th Military Police Brigade provides a helping hand in support
of Operation Allies Refuge September 02, 2021 at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.
Soldiers from the 21st Theater Sustainment command have assisted with providing
security; food, shelter, and other basic necessities; and clean-up at the transit
center on RAB - all part of preparing travelers from Afghanistan for onward
movement to their final destination. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Katelyn Myers)
Saturday, September 4, 2021
Hundreds of Americans and thousands of at-risk Afghans are stranded in Afghanistan. Their future is uncertain and many will face death at the hands of the Taliban regime. There is news that the Kabul airport may reopen with assistance from Turkey and Qatar. Apparently domestic flights will resume shortly, followed by international flights. Rumors of a State Department agreement with the Taliban regime are in the news media. Social media also reports that the United Nations could begin evacuation flights. The United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) has already resumed humanitarian flights delivering relief supplies to over 160 humanitarian organizations - flying from Islamabad into Mazar-i-Sharif in the north and Kandahar in the south. Charter flights in and out of MeS is problematic - the existence of an air control element is questioned. This could provide an avenue of escape for the American citizens and Lawful Legal Residents (LPRs) still trapped there. It remains to be seen if the Taliban will let the Afghans SIV holders leave via the Kabul airport - or continue to hunt them down and execute them. The rise of the Taliban and fighting that brought it to power has caused a humanitarian crisis within Afghanistan.
"The Mysterious White 727" at HKIA-N and Afghan SOF. The tragic story of the Kabul airlift has generated a lot of stories about what happened and what some people think happened. In addition, there are the odd accounts that will peak the interest of many participants and observes. One is about an old 727 that showed up among the military transports at Kabul airport which drew a lot of interest among flight trackers and the open-source intel gurus. BLUF: Hundreds of Afghan SOF that were lodged in a warehouse at HKIA-N were flown out to Tajikistan to await further movement in a tent community. Read "The Story of the Mysterious White 727 That Appeared in Kabul After the Bombing of Abbey Gate", by Tyler Rogoway, The Drive.
The Carabinieri at HKIA-N. The soldier-policemen of this hybrid outfit - the 3nd Mobile Brigade - went outside the wire to bring thousands to safety. They rescued Italian citizens, other foreign nationals, and at-risk Afghans through Abbey Gate. The methods used were unique. The people evacuated were told to dress in a certain way, communicate with the Carabinieri using WhatsApp, and provide their locations via Google Maps. The Carabinieri would then venture into the throngs of Afghans crowding the gate, find them the people they were looking for, and escort them onto HKIA-N. Read about it in "Italy's Carabinieri Were the Perfect Force for the Kabul Evacuation", by Elisabeth Braw, Defense One, September 3, 2021.
Irish Ranger Wing at HKIA-N. A small detachment of an elite Irish unit succeeded in getting 36 of their country's citizens out of Afghanistan. "Inside the hero Irish Army Ranger's courageous Afghan mission as 36 rescued safely", by Declan Power, Irish Mirror, August 27, 2021.
A New Government. The world is watching for the announcement by the Taliban about the formation of a new government. There are reports that Baradar will lead the new Afghan government. Naturally, there is attention being given to the 'inclusiveness' of the new Taliban regime. Certainly there is a bit of infighting among the Taliban for key positions in government. There is pressure from the international community to bring in technocrats and non-Pastuns into the new government. This is a key point that will determine international recognition and aid as well as dampening down internal resistance. "Taliban Close to Forming New Government Amid Fighting Over Opposition Holdout", Gandhara, September 3, 2021.
National Resistance Front and the Panjshir Valley. A reincarnation of the Northern Alliance rebel group that fought the Taliban regime in the late 1990s and aligned itself with U.S. Special Forces in the fall of 2001 has resumed its fight against the Taliban. It has reconstituted in the Panjshir Valley and the Taliban are attempting to push them out. The valley is in the Hindu Kush mountain range located about 60 miles north of Kabul. During the occupation of Kabul in August 2021 by the Taliban thousands of refugees and some remnants of the Afghan security forces fled in the Panjshir Valley. The National Resistance Front is led by Ahmad Massoud, age 32, the son of Ahmad Shah Massoud - known at "The Lion of Panjshir". Read more in "Afghan resistance digs in to defend one remaining valley not conquered by Taliban", Yahoo! News, September 3, 2021.
Kazakhstan Says No to U.S. Afghan Refugees. The Kazakh president has said his country will not accept refugees who have worked for U.S. military and governmental organizations in Afghanistan. He stated his country would not be a temporary staging area for the refugees and migrants. More than 200 ethnic Kazakhs were evacuated from Afghanistan to Kazakhstan.
Tajikistan - Unable to Host Refugees. Thousands of Afghans attempting to flee the Taliban regime are finding neighboring countries are limiting access at border crossings. The interior minister of Tajikistan stated that his country lacks the infrastructure to host Afgahn refugees. He called upon international organizations - like the United Nations - to assist Central Asian states. In July 2021 Tajikistan stated it would accept up to 100,000 refugees - but then backed away from that statement. "Tajik Interior Minister Says His Country Unable to Host Many Afghan Refugees", Gandhara Blog, September 2, 2021.
Border Crossings. Pakistan's interior minister announced on September 2nd that the border crossing into Afghanistan at Friendship Gate in Chaman would be temporarily closed. Some people with proper identity documents are allowed to cross. The border at Spin Boldak opens and closes periodically. The Turkmenistan and Uzbek borders are curently closed. Flights into Uzbekistan are possible but there are strict rules to observe.
Operation Allied Refuge Update. Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby and Air Force General Glen VanHerck of the U.S. Northern Command briefed the press on the DoD effort to support the Department of Homeland Security in the immigration process upon arrival in the United States. Currently there are 8 DoD locations for the Afghan immigrants and refugees. The camps have a current capacity of 36,000 and it is anticipated that the camps will have a total capacity of 50,000. The current Afghan population (as of Sep 3) is about 25,600. DoD is providing transportation, water, food, recreation, and limited medical care. The DHS is the lead organization for the immigration process and helping the Afghans to transition to their new lives. You can watch the press briefing online.
A Re-direction of ANDSF Funds. The Global SOF Foundation is advocating for the $3 billion in money planned for the now non-existent Afghan security forces to be redirected to intelligence assets and operations in the region. (Military Times, Aug 27, 2021).
Friday, September 3, 2021
America's Honor - and Afghanistan. There are two separate issues being discussed about Afghanistan. One is the decision to liquidate America's committment to Afghanistan, the other is the manner in which it was executed and how the U.S. left its SIV applicants in danger. Read "A Dishonorable Exit", by Eliot Cohen, The Atlantic, September 3, 2021.
Charter Flights. What is puzzling is why private charter flights are not being allowed to land or leave from Afghanistan. Read more in an article by Lela Gilbert entitled "Why Is the US Government Blocking Refugee Flights From Afghanistan", Religion Unplugged, September 3, 2021. Some social media posts indicate that there are five or six large aircraft on the tarmac at Mazar-e-Sharif that can fly AMCITs and others to other countries.
Tweet by Rep. Waltz 20210903
What is Next for Private Sector Efforts? Some of the groups formed up will go away not that the push to get people onto HKIA-N is no longer an option. There are other groups that claim the ability to move people through nets / safehouses on the ground to safety - could happen, but that is tough to do. Certainly there are things that can be done to help those that did get to safety in their adjustment to life in American.
The Resistance. Many Americans are paying attention to the Afghans who have now arrived in the United States and the others at transit points who are waiting to arrive here. However, there are some tracking the events taking place in the Panjshir province of Afghanistan. Read more in "Heavy clashes between Taliban and anti-Taliban group in Afghanistan", CNN.com, September 2, 2021.
Son of Afghan SIV Now in U.S. Army - Helping Afghans in Kuwait. In 2015 Spc. Toraj Rozbeh's family immigrated to the United States as a Special Immigrant Visa family. In 2017 he joined the Army National Guard, deployed to Afghanistan in 2020, and is now in Kuwait assisting in Operation Allies Refuge. (DVIDS, Aug 30, 2021).
Afghans in Wisconsin and the KY Air Guard. One of the military installations receiving and housing Afghan evacuees is Fort McCoy, Wisconsin. The Department of Defense is supporting the U.S. State Department in the relocation effort with temporary housing, sustainment, and support for Afghan Special Immigrant VIsa principal applicants, their families, and other individuals at risk. The Kentucky Air Guard played a key role in the Afghan evacuation in the Fort McCoy operation. (DVIDS, Sep 3, 2021).
Operation Soccer Balls. There have been some successes and failures in private sector operations to get Afghans onto HKIA-N. One was an attempt to get members of the Afghan national female soccer team, staff, and others to safety - but one that failed due to the large IED attack that killed 13 Americans and over 100 Afghans at Abbey Gate. Read more in "Afghanistan's national girls soccer team in hiding after terrorist blast", New York Post, September 3, 2021.
Video of HKIA-N - A Marine Perspective. One U.S. Marine captured the chaos and heartbreak of the NEO operation in Kabul on his Go-Pro. Read "The Pentagon's filtered version of the Kabul rescue mission looks nothing like what really went down", by Paul Szoldra, Task & Purporse, September 3, 2021.
Evacuees and Getting to HKIA-N Gates. The horror stories on the difficulties that evacuees had in getting to U.S. and other foreign national forces so they could have access to the airfiled are continue to surface in the media. Read "Taliban fighter told evacuee 'go and tell the State Department to f--- themselves,' report says", The New York Post, September 3, 2021.
Representative Has Words about President Biden. House Intelligence Committee member Rep. Mullin said that the White House and Department of Defense are lying about the ability of U.S. citizens to access the Kabul airport during the noncombatant evacuation operation. Fox News, September 3, 2021.
Podcast about Task Force Dunkirk. Lt. Col. (Ret.) Russel Worth Parker is interviewed about what some private sector groups are doing to assist those wanting to depart Afghanistan. Pick Up The Six, SoundCloud, September 2, 2021. A lot of chat about Team American.
Tips for Afghan Academia and Students. The academic world seems to have methods of saving the safely store academic documents for refugee and at-risk people. The University of California at Davis has a site called "Backpack: Universal Tool for Academic Mobility". Read more in "A UC-Davis Professor's Mission: Saving Academic Credentials in Afghanistan", The Chronicle of Higher Education, August 31, 2021.
Evacuees from Afghanistan depart a U.S. Air Force KC-10 Extender after landing at Naval Station (NAVSTA) Rota Aug. 31, 2021. NAVSTA Rota is currently supporting the Department of State mission to facilitate the safe departure and relocation of U.S. citizens, Special Immigration Visa recipients, and vulnerable populations from Afghanistan. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Nathan Carpenter, August 31, 2021.
Thursday, September 2, 2021
Now that the evacuation of the Kabul airport is over the attention of some in government is the recovery of those hundreds American citizens left behind. In addition, the Lawful Permanent Residents and Special Immigrant Visa holders - number in the many thousands are a concern (or should be a concern) of the State Department. The U.S. and other nations are in discussions with the Taliban as to when and how these individuals will be allowed to leave. Naturally there is a bit of bargaining taking place.
Meanwhile, while the respective governments hold their conversations - private organizations of all types are conducting their own private iniitatives to get AMCITs, LPRs, SIVs, and at-risk Afghans out of Afghanistan. Unfortunately, it seems that the State Department is putting up huge roadblocks to these endeavors.
There are planes ready to fly into Mazar-e-Sharif to pick up foreign nationals as well as at-risk Afghans and bring them to countries who have expressed a willingness to receive them. However, the U.S. State Department, for reasons that can't be fathomed, is putting up obstacles left and right to make sure that this does not happen. Thousands of people have converged on MeS waiting for transportation out - there is not a hotel room to be had.
Overland movement to a border crossing is not a good option at this time. If one of the neighoring countries is receptive to border crossers it usually is only for people who are on 'a list' provided by the U.S. State Department or some other foreign government. There are some stories of successful exits along the border but for the most part people have gathered in throngs on the Afghanistan side hoping for the posts to open.
U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Scott R. McCoy, with 445th Airlift Wing offers toys to qualified evacuees at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, Aug. 26, 2021. The Department of Defense remains committed to supporting the evacuation of American citizens, Special Immigrant Visa applicants and other at-risk individuals from Afghanistan. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. True Thao)
Wednesday, September 1, 2021
Afghans Moving to the Border. Thousands and thousands of Afghans are attempting to flee the Taliban and seek refuge in neighboring countries. The Afghans are at the gates of the border crossings - Torkham gate at the Pakistan border, the Islam Qala boarder post with Iran, and a few others. Although the Taliban have declared an amnesty for those who worked with U.S. and NATO forces they have continued their executions of those they find in their houses and at traffic checkpoints.
Private Sector Extraction Attempts Post-NEO. Now that the latest phase of the abandonment (Kabul airport evacuation) of the at-risk Afghans by the U.S. government has concluded, concerned U.S. veterans are looking for ways to get their former interpreters and others safely out of Afghanistan. The work of the various veterans groups to get Afghans onto HKIA was partially successful - despite the State Department actions. However, the work needed to establish a post-NEO functioning evacuation mechanism by private sector groups in Afghanistan is most likely beyond the ability and capability of most of those wishing to do so. There are a lot of groups showing up on the internet and on social media claiming the ability to move Afghans into neighboring countries. While some may be able to extract Afghans most probably can't. There are those that can and hopefully they can continue the good work.
Shelter in Place. At-risk Afghans (SIVs and others) are actively being hunted down and executed by the Taliban. These Afghans have a difficult choice to make for themselves and their families. Flee to a neighboring country (by whatever limited means available) or shelter in a safe place, hoping not to be discovered by the Taliban, and wait for the situation to develop. Each option is a dangerous. The Afghans have to decide which is the least bad option.
Airport Reopening? A Qatari technical team arrived in Kabul's airport on September 1, 2021, Wednesday. The Qatar Airways plane was the first aircraft to arrive at the facilty following the departure of U.S. forces in the early morning of August 31st (Kabul time). The Qatari team will enter into discussions on reopening the airport. Several western countries are engaged in talks with the Taliban to resume the evacuation of foreign nationals. Read more in "Qatari technical team onboard first flight to land in Kabul airport", Doha News, September 1, 2021.
Department of State Re-engaging? The State Department will resume evacuations for American citizens, Legal Permanent Residents, and at-risk Afghans in the near future. They didn't offer very many details. "People stranded in Afghanistan will be provided 'tailored' evacuation routes: State Department", Fox News, September 1, 2021.
NGOs and UN As an Option. The one constant about non-governmental organizations is they are not reluctant to work in a war zone and they are not fussy about the current regime in power no matter how despicable and notorious. This is good news for the Afghan SIVs stranded by our State Department. Money is going to run out for the new Taliban regime. NGOs have a certain amount of leverage that allows them to operate in Afghanistan - they bring needed humanitarian services the Taliban cannot provide, at least initially. Once the NGOs and the United Nations is on the ground it may be possible to put your at-risk Afghans in contact with them. Could be an option for some.
And the SIV Applicants? In the early days of the evacution, the joint U.S. military and diplomatic coordination team at Kabul's airport gave the Taliban a list of people the U.S. wanted to evacuate. The list included Afghans who served alongside the U.S. during the war and sought special immigrant visas. But after thousands of visa applicants arrived, the State Department asked applicants not to come to the airport. One defense official was quoted as saying "Basically, they just put all those Afghans on a kill list." August 26, 2021. "US officials gave Taliban list of evacuees: report", The Hill. The U.S. still doesn't have reliable data on who was evacuated from Afghanistan - according to a senior State Department official. See "Majority of Interpreters, Other U.S. Visa Applicants Were Left Behind in Afghanistan", The Wall Street Journal, September 1, 2021.
And DoD's Narrative. SECDEF Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Milley held a press briefing on September 1, 2021. A lot of 'feel good' verbage, some facts and figures, and some Q and A. DoD Transcript, September 1, 2021. The two seemed to echo the president's characterization of the evacuation as an "extraordinary success."
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