Dutch military plans evacuation flights to Afghanistan – minister
Taliban forces patrol a street in Herat, Afghanistan August 14, 2021. (REUTERS)
AMSTERDAM — The Dutch military plans to operate “multiple” flights to Afghanistan, the country’s defense minister said in a statement on Monday.
Ank Bijleveld said one aircraft was already underway to Kabul “to first evacuate translators, embassy staff, and families.”
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fled the country on Sunday as the Islamist militants entered the city, saying he wanted to avoid bloodshed, while hundreds of Afghans desperate to leave flooded Kabul airport.
The Taliban declared the war in Afghanistan was over after insurgents took control of the presidential palace.
“Today is a great day for the Afghan people and the mujahideen. They have witnessed the fruits of their efforts and their sacrifices for 20 years,” Mohammad Naeem, the spokesman for the Taliban’s political office, told Al Jazeera TV.
“Thanks to God, the war is over in the country.”
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