Civic Register
| 8.30.21
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What's the Status of the Evacuation From Kabul, Afghanistan?
How do you feel about the Kabul evacuation?
UPDATE 8/30/21
- The U.S. concluded its military evacuation from Afghanistan the afternoon of August 30th (U.S. time), shortly after midnight of August 31st in Kabul, when the final flight of American troops left the country. It's been estimated that a number of American civilians "in the low hundreds" remain in Afghanistan, along with thousands of Afghan allies at-risk of reprisals by the Taliban.
- Roughly 116,700 people, including about 6,000 Americans, were evacuated by the U.S., NATO, and other coalition members since August 14th.
What’s the story?
- The Taliban completed its bid to topple Afghanistan’s government over the weekend, and a rushed evacuation of American and third country civilians, Afghans endangered by the Taliban’s takeover, foreign aid workers, and military personnel is underway in Kabul.
- We will update this post periodically as more information about the situation at the airport, the security situation, and the status of the evacuation becomes available. (Most recent update: Sunday evening U.S. time with evacuation totals, and information about the 13 servicemembers killed in Thursday's terror attack.)
Evacuation Progress
- The Pentagon reported that as of the morning of Monday, August 30th, a total of 1,200 people were evacuated from Kabul in the prior 24 hours. That brings the total number of evacuees since August 14th to about 116,700 people.
- The Pentagon reported that as of the morning of Sunday, August 29th, 32 military flights evacuated 2,200 people and 9 coalition flights evacuated 700 people in the last 24 hours. That brings the total number of evacuees since August 14th to about 114,400 people. NATO on Saturday notified people seeking evacuation that it has concluded its evacuation operations, but that it will keep lists of those seeking evacuations so that their relationship with NATO can be noted in future immigration or visa consideration.
- The Pentagon reported that as of the morning of Saturday, August 28th, 32 military flights evacuated about 4,000 people and 34 coalition flights evacuated 2,800 people in the last 24 hours. That brings the total number of evacuees since August 14th to about 111,000.
- The Pentagon reported that as of the morning of Friday, August 27th, 35 military flights evacuated 8,500 people and 54 coalition flights evacuated 4,000 people in the prior 24 hours. That brings the total number of evacuees since August 14th to about 105,000.
- The Pentagon reported that as of the morning of Thursday, August 26th, 17 military flights evacuated 5,100 people in the prior 24 hours, while 74 coalition aircraft evacuated 8,300 people. That brings the total number of evacuees since August 14th to 95,700 people.
- The Pentagon reported that as of the morning of Wednesday, August 25th, 42 military flights evacuated 11,200 people in the prior 24 hours, while 48 coalition aircraft evacuated an additional 7,800 people. That brings the total number of evacuees to about 82,000 since August 14th.
- The Pentagon reported that as of the morning of Tuesday (8/24), 37 military flights evacuated 12,700 people over the last 24 hours, while 57 coalition flights evacuated 8,900 people. That brings the total number of evacuees since August 14th to over 58,000.
- The Pentagon reported that as of the morning of Monday (8/23, about 16,000 people were evacuated from Kabul on 28 military flights and 61 charter or commercial flights in the prior 24 hours (including 11,000 on U.S. military aircraft). That brings the total number of evacuees since August 14th to about 37,000. The Biden administration has reportedly estimated that roughly 4,000 Americans have been evacuated.
- The Pentagon reported on the morning of Sunday (8/22), that about 7,800 people were evacuated from Kabul in the prior 24 hours. That brings the total since August 14th to just over 25,000. In the 24 hours prior to the morning of Saturday (8/21), the Pentagon reported that six U.S. military C-17 and 32 charter flights evacuated 3,800 people from Kabul. That brings the total since August 14th to about 17,000. The DOD reported Friday morning (8/20) that 5,700 people were evacuated on 16 C-17 flights in the last 24 hours, bringing the total since August 14th to 12,700. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar is at its maximum capacity, so evacuation flights will now be landing at Isa Air Base in Bahrain, other bases in the Persian Gulf, Ramstein Air Base in Germany, and other locations.
- The DOD reported Thursday (8/19) morning that 2,000 people were evacuated by military aircraft over the last 24 hours in the prior 24 hours, including 300 Americans. That brings the total number of people evacuated since the weekend to roughly 7,000. As of Wednesday afternoon (8/18), the State Dept. said that about 2,000 people have been evacuated, bringing the total to 4,800 over the last several days. As of Tuesday (8/17), the White House reports that 3,200 people have been evacuated in total. On Tuesday (8/17), roughly 1,100 U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and family members were evacuated on 13 flights. On Monday (8/16), there were over 700 people evacuated according to the White House, including 150 U.S. citizens, in addition to Afghans, and citizens of third countries.
Who is securing the airport?
- As of Saturday, August 28th, about 4,000 American troops remain in Kabul according to the Pentagon. Several coalition countries including the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, Poland, and Spain have completed their withdrawal from Kabul.
- As of Tuesday, August 24th, the U.S. has begun to withdraw some military personnel, with several hundred in supporting roles withdrawn to date. Over 5,000 American troops remain in Kabul according to the Pentagon.
- As of Saturday, August 21st, the U.S. has authorized roughly 6,000 military personnel to deploy to Kabul, and about 5,800 troops are on the ground securing the airport with some remaining personnel reportedly en route.
- The American contingent includes two Marine infantry battalions from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, plus one Minnesota Army National Guard combined arms battalion who were ordered to Kabul last week; three battalions of the 82nd Airborne Division paratroopers who were ordered to Kabul as the situation deteriorated; plus one infantry battalion from the 10th Mountain Division. Additionally, a specialized air command team is being deployed to Kabul, and special forces are reportedly in Kabul as well. The 650 to 1,000 personnel already in Afghanistan when the evacuation intensified last week have reportedly been withdrawn.
- Additionally, there are about 600 troops from the former Afghan Defense Forces (who the State Dept. has said can apply for Special Immigrant Visas); roughly 600 British paratroopers, soldiers, and special forces; 600 Turkish military personnel helping with security at the airport; an unknown number of French special forces; and an unknown number of special forces from other coalition nations.
- British and French special forces have been traveling into Kabul to retrieve citizens and Afghan allies, and as of Thursday (8/19), the U.S. has begun to do the same in certain circumstances, with three Army Chinook helicopters evacuating 169 people trapped in a hotel several blocks away from the airport. Several other U.S.-led evacuations have occurred outside of the airport as of August 25th.
- Air support is provided by land-based aircraft flying from bases in the Persian Gulf, with additional support available in the form of the USS Ronald Reagan carrier strike group and the USS Iwo Jima amphibious ready group, both in the Arabian Sea. The Pentagon reports that armed aircraft have been carrying out overwatch flights in case the situation deteriorates.
- Commanders on the ground are in communication with the Taliban about securing access to the airport for evacuees who have been sheltering in place. U.S. Central Command General Frank McKenzie has visited the airport in Kabul and warned the Taliban that any attempt to interfere with the evacuation will “be met with overwhelming force in the defense of our forces.”
Who needs to be evacuated?
- American Citizens: The White House stated Tuesday, August 17th, that there are at least 11,000 people in Afghanistan who have self-identified as U.S. citizens seeking evacuation, although it’s possible more will come forward as the situation evolves and some estimates have pegged the number at 15,000. These figures likely include the 1,400 U.S. Embassy staff who evacuated from the now-shuttered embassy to the airport, some of whom are helping to process paperwork for Afghans at the airport. It’s unclear how many of these Americans are outside of Kabul or the airport perimeter. As of August 25th, the State Dept. estimates that there are about 1,500 American citizens remaining in Afghanistan.
- American Military: There are at least 3,500 U.S. troops on the ground at Kabul International Airport as of Tuesday, August 17th, which may rise to 7,000 based on current force authorizations. They will likely be among the last to leave.
- Afghan SIVs: At the beginning of the withdrawal, there were 18,000 Afghans eligible for Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) due to their work for the U.S. to be evacuated, plus at least 53,000 immediate family members. Other estimates have suggested that there could be over 20,000 primary SIV applicants plus 80,000 family members. It’s unknown at this time how many of those people are at Kabul airport, and how many will need to pass through Taliban checkpoints to be evacuated. About 2,000 have been evacuated in recent weeks prior to the fall of Kabul.
- Afghans At-Risk of Persecution: It’s possible that additional Afghans beyond those who have been in the SIV application process will be evacuated due to the threat of persecution or execution by the Taliban, although no estimate of that figure has been made available.
- Third-Country Civilians: The U.S. is assisting with the evacuation of civilians from third countries, but the Biden administration hasn’t specified how many have been or are expected to be evacuated on American aircraft during the airlift.
- Foreign Military: It’s unclear what role the U.S. will play in the evacuation of NATO military personnel at the airport or when they will be evacuated, although it’s possible they will remain with U.S. and Afghan troops until the end of the evacuation.
What is the situation at the airport?
- Following the U.S. withdrawal from Bagram Air Base, which is about 25 miles away from Kabul and has since been seized by the Taliban, Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul has the only runway being used in the airlift evacuation.
- On Thursday, August 26th, an ISIS suicide bombing attack at one of the airport's gates killed 13 American troops, wounded at least 18 more, along with killing more than 100 Afghan civilians. The Pentagon released the names of the fallen U.S. servicemembers on Saturday, August 28th.
- The State Dept. has warned potential evacuees that the U.S. government can’t guarantee their safety as they make the trip to the airport. The State Dept. is communicating with evacuees about when to go to the airport, but has warned that gates may be opened or closed with little advance notice due to the security situation. On Saturday, August 21st, the State Dept. warned Americans to leave the exterior of the airport or not travel there unless instructed by the agency due to threats of terrorism posed by the Islamic State and/or al Qaeda.
- The Taliban has encircled the airport and set up checkpoints on roads leading to it. On August 24th, the Taliban announced that it will not allow Afghans to enter the airport and be evacuated from the country.
- There are reports that the Taliban is intimidating and beating people attempting to pass through those checkpoints. Some have been allowed through, while others have been obstructed and turned away. In some cases, Afghan parents have been passing their children to American servicemembers over the barbed wire to ensure their safety. Elsewhere in Kabul and Afghanistan at large, the Taliban are reportedly rounding up Afghans who worked with the U.S. for reprisals and potential execution, abducting children for forced marriages, and informing women not to return to school or work.
- As of August 23rd, the Taliban reportedly has not engaged in hostile acts against U.S. and coalition forces securing the airport, but several shootings have occurred. Early on the morning of Monday, August 23rd, a hostile actor opened fire on Afghan security forces, killing one Afghan soldier and wounding several other Afghans during the exchange, which U.S. and German troops were also involved in. The wounded are reportedly in stable condition and are being treated at the airport hospital. On August 16th, American military personnel reportedly shot and killed two Afghans who opened fire on the crowd. One U.S. Marine was reportedly grazed by a bullet but remained at the airport.
- Flight operations by American and allied military transport aircraft have been ongoing with the runway and tarmac secured since August 17th, after operations were paused to secure the airport, and civilian air traffic is underway as well. The Dept. of Defense is aiming to process at least one military transport flight per hour within 24 hours. That pace would allow for the evacuation of between 5,000 and 9,000 people per day, according to the Pentagon’s estimates.
What has been happening at the airport:
- On Sunday (8/15) and Monday (8/16), frightened Afghans attempting to flee crowded the tarmac and runway at the airport, which caused temporary pauses in the evacuation process. U.S. personnel reportedly shot and killed two armed people at the airport during the period where Afghans were on the tarmac, but no other incidents have been reported since.
- Several Afghans have died as the evacuation has played out, including two who fell to their deaths after clinging to a military transport plane’s landing gear as it took off, and another who was found crushed to death in the landing gear. The status of another Afghan who was pictured clinging to the side of a C-17 as it climbed through the clouds after takeoff is unknown. Others have been crushed in the crowd outside the airport, including seven who died in a crush of people Sunday according to the British military, while others have died of dehydration and exposure, or been killed by the Taliban.
- One C-17 from the 436th Air Wing, callsign “Reach 871”, departed Kabul Sunday with 823 people in its cargo bay after panicked Afghans pulled themselves onto its half-open ramp. The crew chose to take off despite the C-17’s normal capacity being 150 troops with their equipment. According to The Warzone, that broke the record for most passengers carried by a single Boeing aircraft. Thanks to the courage and skill of those aviators, the C-17 landed safely at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
RELATED READING
- President Biden Delivers Remarks Defending Afghanistan Withdrawal Amid Taliban Takeover, Kabul Evacuation (8/16/21)
- Taliban Takes Kabul: U.S. Embassy Shuttered, Afghans Crowd Airport Hoping for Evacuation (8/15-16/21)
- Taliban Makes Rapid Gains in Afghanistan, U.S. Sends 3,000 Troops to Secure Drawdown of Embassy Staff (8/12/21)
- Afghans Who Aided U.S. Military Against the Taliban Begin to Arrive in America as Evacuation Ramps Up (7/30/21)
- Biden Moves Up Afghanistan Withdrawal Date From September 11th to August 31st (7/8/21)
- U.S. Military Withdraws From Bagram Air Base as Afghanistan Drawdown Continues (7/3/21)
- Biden Urged to Expedite Visas for Afghan Interpreters Facing Taliban Death Threats or There Will Be ‘Blood on His Hands’ After U.S. Withdrawal (6/22/21)
- Biden Sets September 11th Withdrawal Date From Afghanistan, Drawing Bipartisan Criticism (4/14/21)
— Eric Revell
(Photo Credit: U.S. C-17 in Kabul: U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Matt Davis via NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan Flickr / Creative Commons | Taliban: SeHi via Flickr / Creative Commons)
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I’ve been listening to the hearings, with the generals that work for the president Joe Biden. They admit the disaster that he created in Afghanistan. But they are still trying to cover for him. These decisions were made by Joe Biden. Everything he did was backwards. Also that’s so much military equipment to the enemy. Joe Biden has left our country wide open. For terrorist attacks. He did not listen to what the military was advising. When Democrats asked questions they bring it back to what happened in Afghanistan 20 years ago. Which has nothing to do with the decisions that Joe Biden made in 2021. And try to remember that Obama was president for eight years, and Joe Biden was vice president. Take that off the 20 years. What the Democrats are doing by following Joe Biden is putting our country in grave danger. Our southern border is overwhelmed with people coming from other countries illegally, they are wearing Joe Biden and Carmella Harris T-shirts, where do they got them.? The disaster that we are having at our border is just as bad as what he did in Afghanistan. Joe Biden and his administration and everybody that is working for him. That he is put in office. It’s not working for the American people. They are forgetting about America. They want to mandate laws to the American people. But they are not mandating them for people who are coming into our country. They do not have to take the shot for the virus. A lot of them have come into our country and they are sick. Yeah Joe Biden’s administration is bringing them to all our states. I thought he cared about the American people.? This proves that he does not. When Joe Biden is on television and he’s talking to the American people. He’s reading a script. Barely answers even one question. This man is the worst president this country has ever had. Him and his administration along with his vice president needs to resign. And we need to have another election. In order to save our country. The American people are terrified, by the Democratic Party and some Republicans and to let you know I am not a democrat or a republican. I am an independent. And I did vote for Obama twice big mistake. He didn’t live up to anything he said. And now he is defending Joe Biden. Obama is not that stupid. What are we going to do politicians Democrat and Republican to save our country? The American people feel abandoned they are politicians. And you better get Nancy Pelosi,Under control. That is a woman who only cares about her agenda. I have watched her several times on television the woman is a nutcase she’s been there way too long she needs to retire or go home and be a grandmother or something else. That is one woman I definitely would never trust with anything.
Check out the new docuseries, “Turning Point: 9/11 and the War on Terror” on Netflix. It is an expansive and detailed historical study about HOW & WHY we got to 9/11, with an almost complete history of WHEN & WHY Afghanistan became a focal point for the American government and the American people. This 5 episode series explains so much and in such detail, afterwards you’ll know EXACTLY WHY we left Afghanistan, and WHY we should have left much sooner than August of 2021! It’s ALL there. And it’s ALL the TRUTH! The main idea I got out of it is this: Never go to war without a clear exit strategy that leaves the invaded country better than you found it. NOT doing so will be catastrophic!
Get our Americans and Afghan allies HOME and out of harm’s way NOW! It was a travesty to leave them behind. Then, bomb and destroy all equipment left behind, to keep them from being used against us later. Only a fool would do what was done; impeach or court martial the entire cabinet, including president to pentagon. We have lost face in the world because of them. Close the borders and vet all immigrants. Kick out all not willing to pledge allegiance to USA. We have a huge crisis here and will suffer consequences. I blame Marxists for our situation. We must speedily close borders, and bring our Americans home. Then inquest.
Here are the latest figure for the Coronavirus since January 20th at noontime to present 226 days. Cases 15,697,673 new cases yesterday 190,001. Deaths 383,610 new deaths yesterday 1,985. Yet Comrade dear leader Beijing Biden leaves our southern border with 1.8 million illegal aliens being caught and released since January 20th at noontime and believed to be 750,000 illegals from 48 countries that didn’t get caught. Shut the border down and build the wall.
SHAME on our leaders!!
Complete, utter, unmitigated failure staining America's honor and disrespecting the sacrifices of so many. Hope those voting these inept, deluded fools into office have learned something so we can correct this next Fall.
I am actually quite surprised that we didn’t lose more lives in the evacuation. If any of the former presidents (republican or democrat ) could’ve done a better job they should’ve done it. Now they’re armchair quarterbacks.
Recovery from a losing war never goes this well. No one in history has rescued half as many people on the way out! I hate this, but it has never been done better.
To our governors senators around the United States you need to figure out how to get Biden out of office along with Harris before he humiliates the United States any further and causes more harm to the citizens and military. By leaving trillions of dollars of weapons of mass destruction and our militaries top secrets left behind in Afghanistan .we cannot stand his lies anymore the idiot cannot even speak for himself the only time he can speak a sentence is when it’s read from the Teleprompter. And he also needs to stop embarrassing us throughout the world with his decisions or the people to tell him what to do and their decisions. Also please protect our Second Amendment rights to protect ourselves against tyrants like him and his associates
I’m sick of all our propaganda News Biden Lies non stop and should be impeached immediately. Whoever is watching these propaganda news channels better turn it off the brainwashing is getting to a critical level. Social media and our news media is ruining America with their lies Why don’t they ask Biden what he had for lunch? We see he don’t know what is going on and all his questions are given ahead of time so someone else can answer it. SAVE the American Hostages in Kabul Tracey
30 Aug 2021 Rockets fired at Kabul airport in waning hours of US pullout KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Islamic State militants fired a volley of rockets at Kabul’s rapidly emptying international airport on Monday, with just hours left before a deadline for U.S. forces to withdraw at the end of America’s longest war. … “All day Monday, U.S. military cargo jets came and went despite the rocket attack, which did not hurt anyone. The Taliban released a video shot from the airport’s grounds, saying the Americans had removed or destroyed most of their equipment and that troop numbers were far lower. “It looks like today will be the last day,” one of the unidentified fighters said.”
I would like to believe that no American would intentionally left behind. That’s disturbing.
Davidf: Great comment on how well the airlift has been managed with minimal troops and the POS the that POS presidential apprentice left behind. Really nice summary.
Mess, humiliation, and we'll be back to get our people. To keep the extremists under control we needed a presence. Unfortunately we will have to sacrifice a bunch to get that control..
Of of the frying pan and and into the fire (of Sharia Law)? Qatar lauded for its role in Afghanistan evacuations | Taliban News | Al Jazeera https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/8/30/qatar-emerges-as-key-player-in-afghanistan-after-us-pullout "Qatar has played an outsized role in US efforts to evacuate tens of thousands of people from Afghanistan. "Now it is being asked to help shape what comes next for Afghanistan because of its ties with both Washington and the Taliban, which is in charge in Kabul." Politics of Qatar - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_Qatar “The political system of Qatar is a de facto absolute monarchy with the Emir of Qatar as head of state and head of government. Under the 2003 constitutional referendum it should be a constitutional monarchy with an elected legislature, although elections have been consistently pushed back since 2013. Sharia law is a main source of Qatari legislation." "The hereditary emir of Qatar (currently, Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani) holds all executive and legislative authority, as well as controls the judiciary. He appoints the prime minister and cabinet. According to Freedom House, political rights are limited.”
Updates: wow! Just heard on npr that we have left behind on the order of 200 AMERICANS THAT WANTED TO LEAVE Afghanistan. I shouldn’t be surprised by anything are evil government does, but this is low even for America. I would expect us to leave our allies in the lurch, but to leave our own behind? Wow… And I have to say especially low for Biden. I would expect this from Trump – any Republican really, but good old Joe? Yeah… He’s a real shit bag. On this point America should never forgive and we should never forget.Our president is An enemy of the people.
Kabul families say children killed in US drone attack | Asia News | Al Jazeera https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/8/30/an-afghan-family-killed-by-a-us-airstrike-in-kabul “The Sunday afternoon drone attack, which the US claimed was conducted on an Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISKP, or ISIS-K) target, killed 10 members of the families, ranging from two to 40 years old.”
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We have to get all allies who already totally vetted out NOW & welcome them!!! Not feat monger that people who risk everything to help us!!! the level of xenophobia that we are exhibiting at this time
The fact that we decided to pull our troops out before our US citizens is just irresponsible! This demonstrates the selfishness and incompetence of this current administration who needs to be held accountable and removed from office.