US Embassy Says Kabul Airport Under Taliban Fire, Tells Americans to ‘Shelter in Place’ BY JACK PHILLIPS August 15, 2021 Updated: August 15, 2021
The U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan advised Americans to “shelter in place” amid reports that the Kabul Airport, one of the main exit points from Afghanistan, is taking fire from Taliban terrorists.
In a bulletin sent out on Sunday, the U.S. Department of State said that “the security situation in Kabul is changing quickly including at the airport.”
“There are reports of the airport taking fire; therefore we are instructing U.S. citizens to shelter in place,” the agency wrote. It added, “Do not call the U.S. Embassy in Kabul for details or updates about the flight.”
Afghan government forces, meanwhile, turned over nearby Bagram airbase to the Taliban, according to district chief Darwaish Raufi, reported The Associated Press. About 5,000 prisoners held by both the Taliban and ISIS at the airbase were released, officials said.
It comes as the Taliban, in a statement, announced that it would direct its members to enter Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, after surrounding the city of 6 million. Around the same time, a top Afghan official confirmed President Ashraf Ghani fled the country.
The group, which has long been considered a terrorist organization by the State Department, made swift advances across the South Asian country weeks after President Joe Biden announced the unconditional withdrawal of all American troops after 20 years of occupation.
A few hours before the embassy’s alert was sent out, Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed to ABC News that personnel was being evacuated from the embassy building to the Kabul airport.
“We are working to make sure that our personnel are safe and secure,” Blinken said during an ABC News interview on Sunday. “We’re relocating the men and women of our embassy to a location at the airport. It’s why the president sent in a number of forces, to make sure that as we continue to draw down our diplomatic presence we do it in a safe and orderly fashion,” he added.
But the secretary rejected the notion that the evacuation of embassy staff is similar to the 1975 fall of Saigon when Vietnamese communist forces overran the country and forced American diplomats and others to flee on helicopters that were perched atop the embassy building.
“Let’s take a step back. This is manifestly not Saigon,” Blinken interjected.
The 2001 invasion of Afghanistan, he added, succeeded in taking out Osama bin Laden and reducing the capacity of the al-Qaeda terrorist group, which was being harbored by the Taliban.
President Joe Biden on Saturday authorized the deployment of 5,000 U.S. troops to help evacuate citizens, an increase of the 3,000 troops that were initially deployed.
"When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men living together in society, they create for themselves, in the course of time, a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that glorifies it."- Fredric Bastiat
During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.- Orwell
If you link here there are a series of tweets about the situation in Afghanistan.
The price of liberty is eternal vigilance.
"When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men living together in society, they create for themselves, in the course of time, a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that glorifies it."- Fredric Bastiat
During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.- Orwell
US Embassy Says Kabul Airport Under Taliban Fire, Tells Americans to ‘Shelter in Place’ BY JACK PHILLIPS August 15, 2021 Updated: August 15, 2021
The U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan advised Americans to “shelter in place” amid reports that the Kabul Airport, one of the main exit points from Afghanistan, is taking fire from Taliban terrorists.
In a bulletin sent out on Sunday, the U.S. Department of State said that “the security situation in Kabul is changing quickly including at the airport.”
“There are reports of the airport taking fire; therefore we are instructing U.S. citizens to shelter in place,” the agency wrote. It added, “Do not call the U.S. Embassy in Kabul for details or updates about the flight.”
Afghan government forces, meanwhile, turned over nearby Bagram airbase to the Taliban, according to district chief Darwaish Raufi, reported The Associated Press. About 5,000 prisoners held by both the Taliban and ISIS at the airbase were released, officials said.
It comes as the Taliban, in a statement, announced that it would direct its members to enter Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, after surrounding the city of 6 million. Around the same time, a top Afghan official confirmed President Ashraf Ghani fled the country.
The group, which has long been considered a terrorist organization by the State Department, made swift advances across the South Asian country weeks after President Joe Biden announced the unconditional withdrawal of all American troops after 20 years of occupation.
A few hours before the embassy’s alert was sent out, Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed to ABC News that personnel was being evacuated from the embassy building to the Kabul airport.
“We are working to make sure that our personnel are safe and secure,” Blinken said during an ABC News interview on Sunday. “We’re relocating the men and women of our embassy to a location at the airport. It’s why the president sent in a number of forces, to make sure that as we continue to draw down our diplomatic presence we do it in a safe and orderly fashion,” he added.
But the secretary rejected the notion that the evacuation of embassy staff is similar to the 1975 fall of Saigon when Vietnamese communist forces overran the country and forced American diplomats and others to flee on helicopters that were perched atop the embassy building.
“Let’s take a step back. This is manifestly not Saigon,” Blinken interjected.
The 2001 invasion of Afghanistan, he added, succeeded in taking out Osama bin Laden and reducing the capacity of the al-Qaeda terrorist group, which was being harbored by the Taliban.
President Joe Biden on Saturday authorized the deployment of 5,000 U.S. troops to help evacuate citizens, an increase of the 3,000 troops that were initially deployed.
Right,Blinken. Saigon fell TWO YEARS AFTER we left. The only common denominator between the two is that once again, Democrats are responsible for a clusterfuck. To all who served, or are serving in Afghanistan, my deepest condolences, and my deepest respect. You did magificently It's not on any of you. And for what it's worth, been there, done that. I know how you must be feeling.
Pelosi Statement on Afghanistan, AUGUST 14, 2021 PRESS RELEASE
San Francisco — Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued this statement on the situation in Afghanistan:
“The President is to be commended for the clarity of purpose of his statement on Afghanistan and the actions he has taken.
“The Taliban must know that the world is watching its actions. We are deeply concerned about reports regarding the Taliban’s brutal treatment of all Afghans, especially women and girls. The U.S., the international community and the Afghan government must do everything we can to protect women and girls from inhumane treatment by the Taliban.
“Any political settlement that the Afghans pursue to avert bloodshed must include having women at the table. The fate of women and girls in Afghanistan is critical to the future of Afghanistan. As we strive to assist women, we must recognize that their voices are important, and all must listen to them for solutions, respectful of their culture. There is bipartisan support to assist the women and girls of Afghanistan. One of the successes of U.S.- NATO cooperation in Afghanistan was the progress made by women and girls. We must all continue to work together to ensure that is not eroded.
“Once again, I want to acknowledge the clarity of purpose of President Biden’s statement and the wisdom of his actions. Congress shares the President's concern for Afghans who have assisted U.S. efforts in country, and we passed Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) legislation to provide for their relocation on a strong, bipartisan basis.
“Most of all, we join the President in acknowledging the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform and their families.”
"Of all horrible religions the most horrible is the worship of the god within." GK Chesterton
“These High-Tech oligarchs are dangerous for democracy.” Devin Nunes
"It’s a movement comprised of Americans from all races, religions, backgrounds and beliefs, who want and expect our government to serve the people, and serve the people it will." Donald Trump's Victory Speech 11/9/16
INSIDE EVERY LIBERAL IS A TOTALITARIAN SCREAMING TO GET OUT -- Frontpage mag