Afghanistan deadline

[Buddahaid]

It's not US property. You can buy night vision equipment at Walmart and I think there are far more guns than that already in the country. The Afghan government couldn't maintain the Blackhawks without civilian contractors so I doubt the Taliban can either.

[Rockstar]

Originally Posted by Buddahaid

Isn't this thread about Afganistan? Argue gun control in the gun control thread.

I’m not arguing gun control I’m pointing out hypocrisy.

[Arlo]

[Skybird]

^

[Skybird]

Meanwhile there are concerns of a severe terror threat at the airport in Kabul. Britons and Americans seem to expect an attack any time.

[Skybird]

The last German A400M with civilians from Kabul has landed in Taschkent. Three more flights will follow until tomorrow, but these are for the German soldiers and their military equipment.

The German participation in civil evacuations is practically over.

[Jimbuna]

Western countries warn of a terrorist attack on Kabul airport in Afghanistan where thousands are gathered.

UK Armed Forces Minister James Heappey tells BBC the threat is "severe"

There are no details of the threat, thought to be from so-called Islamic State militants.

The warning comes as efforts to evacuate people seeking to flee the country enter their final phase.

So far, more than 80,000 people have been flown out - with more than 10,000 currently awaiting at Kabul airport.

Up to 1,500 Americans may still need evacuating from the airport, which is controlled by US troops.

Westerners and Afghans who worked for foreign missions want to leave after Taliban militants came back to power.

The US aims to complete the evacuation - and US troop pull-out - by a 31 August deadline agreed with the Taliban.

There are fears thousands of Afghans who wish to flee may be left behind.

[MaDef]

Originally Posted by Otto Harkaman

There is not much deviation, the whole thing got started about the US government leaving thousands of weapons to the Taliban and Rockstar complaining about them wanting to regulate firearms to law abiding citizens here when they are perfectly happy to supply them to terrorists.

Isn't that statement a bit misleading?

It is my understanding that the U.S. provided those weapons and that other gear to the Afghan government so that the could defend themselves & their citizens against the Taliban. (something the Afghan army had no intention of doing in light of the speed in which they capitulated to the Taliban).

[Jimbuna]

The "overwhelming majority" of eligible people have now been evacuated from Afghanistan by the UK, the prime minister has said.

Boris Johnson said about 15,000 people had been flown out of the capital, Kabul, but that the time remaining for evacuation efforts was "quite short".

It comes amid a race to evacuate thousands before foreign troops depart.

One minister warned earlier that there could be a "highly lethal" terror attack at Kabul airport within hours.

Speaking during a visit to the British military's Permanent Joint Headquarters in north London, where he met troops involved in evacuation efforts, Mr Johnson said the UK's airlift would "keep going for as long we can".

He added: "In the time we have left, which may be - as I'm sure everybody can appreciate - quite short, we'll do everything we can to get everybody else."

The US has set a deadline of 31 August for the withdrawal of its troops, with President Joe Biden rejecting calls from Prime Minister Boris Johnson and other allies for an extension.

Kabul airport is currently being defended and run by the US, which has 5,800 troops on the ground - with the help of more than 1,000 UK troops.

Earlier, Armed Forces minister James Heappey declined to give a date for the last UK evacuation flights, but said it was likely that UK and other foreign troops would have to leave before the last American airlifts.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-58339762

[Jimbuna]

[Buddahaid]

Originally Posted by Rockstar

I’m not arguing gun control I’m pointing out hypocrisy.

What hypocrisy? I didn't know Afganistan was subject to US domestic law.

[mapuc]

Originally Posted by Skybird

Meanwhile there are concerns of a severe terror threat at the airport in Kabul. Britons and Americans seem to expect an attack any time.

The Danish news channel has just reported that there has been an explosion at or near the airport. So far it's unknown how many dead and wounded there is.

Markus

[Skybird]

Belgium, Poland, Hungary, Canada and Netherlands say they will end their operation soon. France to follow Friday.

Also answers further the earlier question of who has troops on the ground there.

The explosion was a suicide attack. Number of casualties unknown. I tip on ISKP.

[Otto Harkaman]

Yes absolutely correct everything was left for the Afghan government and with this soft reboot the new Afghan government will hopefully get good use out of them.

[Jimbuna]

There have been twin bomb attacks at Kabul airport with unconfirmed reports of at least 10 deaths.

Explosions took place outside the Abbey Gate - where US and British forces have been stationed - and at a nearby hotel.

The Pentagon said there have been a number of US and civilian casualties in what was a "complex" attack.

It came after warnings that there could be militant attacks, as nations evacuate people ahead of a 31 August deadline.

UK Armed Forces Minister James Heappey earlier told the BBC the threat was "severe" and could be "imminent"

Meanwhile Canada joined several European nations in wrapping up evacuation operations.

Huge crowds of people have built up at Afghanistan's border with Pakistan as people try to flee Taliban rule.

Westerners and Afghans who worked for foreign missions want to leave after Taliban militants came back to power.