• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
Home World

Roughly 1 500 US citizens likely still in Afghanistan – Blinken

26 August 2021, 1:14 AM  |
Reuters Reuters |  @SABCNews
In the 10 days since the Taliban swept into Kabul, the United States and its allies have mounted one of the biggest air evacuations on record, bringing out more than 88 000 people, including 19 000 in the last 24 hours.

In the 10 days since the Taliban swept into Kabul, the United States and its allies have mounted one of the biggest air evacuations on record, bringing out more than 88 000 people, including 19 000 in the last 24 hours.

Image: Reuters

In the 10 days since the Taliban swept into Kabul, the United States and its allies have mounted one of the biggest air evacuations on record, bringing out more than 88 000 people, including 19 000 in the last 24 hours.

There are still about 1 500 US citizens in Afghanistan and the US government is working to either contact them or has already given them instructions on how to get to Kabul airport, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday.

Blinken said at a news conference that Washington has so far evacuated 4 500 US citizens and their families as President Joe Biden’s deadline of August 31 to withdraw US troops is just days away.

When the US evacuation effort began, there were as many as 6 000 American citizens in Afghanistan who wanted to leave, based on a US analysis, Blinken said.

He said officials had been in direct contact with 500 of those remaining in the past 24 hours and provided specific instructions on how to get to Kabul airport safely.

“For the remaining roughly 1 000 contacts that we had, who may be Americans seeking to leave Afghanistan, we’re aggressively reaching out to them multiple times a day, through multiple channels of communication,” Blinken said.

The figures do not include green card holders – those authorised to live and work in the United States.

Biden’s administration has for days struggled to provide a specific figure for both the number of Americans evacuated so far and those who are still in Afghanistan.

Blinken, while providing the figures, cautioned they may change by the hour.

“From this list of approximately 1 000, we believe the number of Americans actively seeking assistance to leave Afghanistan is lower, likely significantly lower,” he said.

He also said 45% to 46% of the more than 82 000 people who have so far been evacuated have been women and children.

Western countries rushed to evacuate people from Afghanistan as the Taliban swiftly took over the country.

Many Afghans who helped US-led coalition forces may have to be left behind to an uncertain fate under the Islamist militant group.

Blinken also stressed that there was no deadline on the effort to help people who want to leave Afghanistan, both Americans and others, and that Washington would use every diplomatic and economic assistance tool to ensure those who want to leave can do so even after August 31.

But he did not elaborate on how exactly Washington would help people leave without the presence of US military on the ground.

In the 10 days since the Taliban swept into Kabul, the United States and its allies have mounted one of the biggest air evacuations on record, bringing out more than 88 000 people, including 19 000 in the last 24 hours.

The US military says planes are taking off the equivalent of every 39 minutes.

Although the airlift is due to last until Tuesday, the United States military said it will shift its focus in the final two days from assisting fleeing civilians to evacuating troops.

The Pentagon does not expect US military involvement beyond August 31, spokesperson John Kirby said.

“I think what Secretary Blinken was talking about was the kind of support and assistance that we give to Americans around the world who want to leave where they are and get help coming home … I wouldn’t anticipate that there will be a military role in that sort of assistance.”

 

Share article
Previous Post

Wall Street hits records on economic optimism; dollar falls

Next Post

Fossil of previously unknown four-legged whale found in Egypt

Related Posts

Rescuers use a crane to remove debris of a multistorey residential building damaged in recent shelling in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict in Donetsk, Russian-controlled Ukraine, February 4, 2023. REUTERS/Pavel Klimov

Ukraine’s Zelenskiy says situation at the front getting tougher

4 February 2023, 8:54 PM

Earthquake of magnitude 5.9 strikes Eastern New Guinea region: EMSC

4 February 2023, 3:58 PM
Firefighters at a scene of a blaze

Train derailment causes massive fire in Ohio: Media

4 February 2023, 9:23 AM
One of the tanks supplied by NATO countries.

Ukraine says new tanks will serve as ‘iron fist’ in counter-offensive

3 February 2023, 9:02 PM
[File Image] : Hands with bracelets.

Indian police arrest 1 800 men in crackdown on underage marriage

3 February 2023, 12:08 PM
British fighter jets in the air.

‘No magic wand’ in Ukraine war, says UK’s Wallace on question of supplying jets

2 February 2023, 9:00 PM
Next Post
The new whale, named Phiomicetus anubis, had an estimated body length of some three meters and a body mass of about 600 kg, and was likely a top predator.

Fossil of previously unknown four-legged whale found in Egypt

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • Registration at Unisa closes on Friday, but management says no need to panic
  • King of Bacardi music ‘Vusi Ma R5’ killed in Soshanguve
  • Committee wants to halt planned demolition of North West hospital
  • Shock over proposed SA sponsorship of Tottenham Hotspur
  • VIDEO: Mabuza resigns as SA Deputy President
  • Parts of the Northern Cape to be exempted from rolling blackouts
  • Registration at Unisa closes on Friday, but management says no need to panic
  • VIDEO | St Benedict College’s Matric learner gets 11 distinctions
  • Limpopo matriculant from child-headed household attains diploma pass
  • Female circumcision practice thriving in Eastern Cape
  • VIDEO: Mabuza resigns as SA Deputy President
  • Three SA Tourism board members resign
  • Communities in Free State continue to struggle to obtain basic services amid power cuts
  • EFF vows to disrupt SONA
  • Free State ANC to decide on Premier Sisi Ntombela’s future

LATEST

Premier Sisi Ntombela lost the Free State ANC leadership contest to Cooperative Governance MEC, Mxolisi Dukwana.
  • Politics

Free State Premier says she’s yet to be informed of PEC outcomes


People attend the ecumenical prayer led by Pope Francis at John Garang Mausoleum during his apostolic journey, in Juba, South Sudan, February 4, 2023. REUTERS/Jok Solomun
  • Africa

Protect, advance women for a better South Sudan, pope says


Deputy President David Mabuza
  • Politics

UPDATE | David Mabuza’s resignation widely anticipated: Analysts


Rescuers use a crane to remove debris of a multistorey residential building damaged in recent shelling in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict in Donetsk, Russian-controlled Ukraine, February 4, 2023. REUTERS/Pavel Klimov
  • World

Ukraine’s Zelenskiy says situation at the front getting tougher


A picture of bullets, a gun and police tape.
  • South Africa

Criminal syndicate within ANC benefited from defunct VBS Bank: Mapaila


Mamelodi Sundowns registered 1-0 win over Orlando Pirates at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
  • Sport
  • Soccer

Sundowns’ DSTV Premiership dominance continues


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2023

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2022

Previous Wall Street hits records on economic optimism; dollar falls
Next Fossil of previously unknown four-legged whale found in Egypt