by Summary for today: Tuesday, 24th August 2021
At least 20 have been killed in shootings and stampedes there since last week. More than 10,000 were evacuated on Monday, but time is running out as that 31 August deadline nears.
Evacuations are being conducted on a "war footing" as foreign forces try to meet the deadline agreed earlier with the Taliban, a NATO diplomat told Reuters news agency.
But the diplomat also said thousands of people had returned to their homes after learning that the situation outside the capital was "relatively calm".
The BBC's Secunder Kermani, meanwhile, says many of those gathered at the airport remain desperate for information that could help them leave the country.
A number of Irish Army Rangers have been deployed to Afghanistan to assist with the evacuation of remaining Irish citizens.
Two Department of Foreign Affairs officials joined the small group of Army Rangers on a flight to Kabul yesterday evening, at the same time as the first group of Afghan refugees arrived in Ireland.
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney, announced the news in a short statement on social media, where he said: " I’ll tonight approve the sending of a small team of diplomats, supported by Army Rangers, to Kabul Airport.
"They’ll work with our [international] partners on the ground to assist in evacuation of remaining Irish citizens."
In a longer official statement released through the Department of Foreign Affairs, Mr Coveney said "Good progress has been made to date in evacuating Irish citizens from Afghanistan" but warned that the situation "remains extremely volatile".
"My view is that further progress requires a short deployment of a consular team to HKIA," he said.
"The security situation for citizens attempting to access to airport remains extremely volatile.
"Citizens should continue to follow the consular advice given to them directly by our Embassy in Abu Dhabi."
Over 30 Irish citizens, including children, are understood to have been in Afghanistan when the Taliban completed their shock takeover of the country; 10 Irish citizens have already been evacuated, with family groups requesting assistance from the government to help them escape the country.
Around 200 refugees in total are expected to arrive in Ireland in the coming days and weeks, among them five women who are qualified in science in technology and who have already been a target by the Taliban.
The first small group which arrived yesterday evening had been working for EU institutions before the Taliban took over the country, and are potential targets for Taliban violence should they stay in Afghanistan, RTÉ News reports.
Here are the latest updates:
- UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace warns that not everyone will get out of Afghanistan by 31 August
- The warning comes as a G-7 summit is to hear allies press President Joe Biden to delay the withdrawal of US forces beyond that date
- US troops control Kabul airport from where some 48,000 people, mainly Afghans working for foreign forces, have been evacuated
- The Taliban have warned of consequences if foreign troops are not withdrawn by the agreed deadline
- Thousands of Afghans are trying to flee, fearing reprisals from the Taliban militants now in power
- There is a scramble to get into the airport, with people dying in the crush under sweltering heat
The latest from the airport
Thousands of people seeking to flee Afghanistan remain crammed in or near the international airport in the capital, Kabul.At least 20 have been killed in shootings and stampedes there since last week. More than 10,000 were evacuated on Monday, but time is running out as that 31 August deadline nears.
Evacuations are being conducted on a "war footing" as foreign forces try to meet the deadline agreed earlier with the Taliban, a NATO diplomat told Reuters news agency.
But the diplomat also said thousands of people had returned to their homes after learning that the situation outside the capital was "relatively calm".
The BBC's Secunder Kermani, meanwhile, says many of those gathered at the airport remain desperate for information that could help them leave the country.
Irish Army Rangers enter Afghanistan to help with evacuation of Irish citizens
Rachael O'Connor - Irish PostA number of Irish Army Rangers have been deployed to Afghanistan to assist with the evacuation of remaining Irish citizens.
Two Department of Foreign Affairs officials joined the small group of Army Rangers on a flight to Kabul yesterday evening, at the same time as the first group of Afghan refugees arrived in Ireland.
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney, announced the news in a short statement on social media, where he said: " I’ll tonight approve the sending of a small team of diplomats, supported by Army Rangers, to Kabul Airport.
"They’ll work with our [international] partners on the ground to assist in evacuation of remaining Irish citizens."
In a longer official statement released through the Department of Foreign Affairs, Mr Coveney said "Good progress has been made to date in evacuating Irish citizens from Afghanistan" but warned that the situation "remains extremely volatile".
"My view is that further progress requires a short deployment of a consular team to HKIA," he said.
"The security situation for citizens attempting to access to airport remains extremely volatile.
"Citizens should continue to follow the consular advice given to them directly by our Embassy in Abu Dhabi."
Over 30 Irish citizens, including children, are understood to have been in Afghanistan when the Taliban completed their shock takeover of the country; 10 Irish citizens have already been evacuated, with family groups requesting assistance from the government to help them escape the country.
Around 200 refugees in total are expected to arrive in Ireland in the coming days and weeks, among them five women who are qualified in science in technology and who have already been a target by the Taliban.
The first small group which arrived yesterday evening had been working for EU institutions before the Taliban took over the country, and are potential targets for Taliban violence should they stay in Afghanistan, RTÉ News reports.
Summary
- President Joe Biden says US evacuation efforts are "on pace" to meet a 31 August deadline
- He said keeping troops beyond that date increases the risk of attacks by IS militants
- White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki told a briefing the US was in contact with at-risk Afghans about when to go for flights
- Earlier a Taliban spokesman said Afghans should not go to Kabul airport or try to leave the country
- At a press briefing, Zabihullah Mujahid also said that female workers should stay at home for now, for their safety
- UK PM Boris Johnson said the G7 will insist on safe passage for those who want to leave Afghanistan beyond 31 August
- The CIA head met the leader of the Taliban in secret on Monday, US media report
- US troops control Kabul airport from where some 58,700 people, mainly Afghans working for foreign forces, have been evacuated
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