Americans in Afghanistan were told on Saturday not to go to Kabul’s airport to evacuate unless they received a specific message to do so.
“Because of potential security threats outside the gates of Kabul Airport, we should currently avoid traveling to the airport and avoid the airport gates unless specifically instructed by a U.S. government representative. I advise the public, “said the Afghanistan embassy. Alert..
The Pentagon referred the Epoch Times to the State Department and declined to comment. The agency did not respond to requests for comment.
Video footage from outside the airport on Saturday showed that the crowd remained outside the concrete, the razor wire-covered walls are being protected by the U.S. military.
President Joe Biden told Americans in Washington on Friday that his administration had “no sign” that Americans could not reach Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul.
“We have agreed with the Taliban. So far, they have allowed them to pass,” he said.
He later said he misunderstood the question and may have problems after the Americans passed the Taliban checkpoint.
However, the Pentagon admitted that it knew about an hour later that Taliban terrorists had beaten Americans in Afghanistan.
It is estimated that thousands of Americans will remain in the country after the United States withdraws most of its troops and the Taliban beats Afghan troops.
The Taliban hijacked Kabul on August 15.
Parliamentarians from both parties are critical of how the United States withdrew, and many wonder why civilians did not evacuate before the military withdrew significantly.
Currently, Americans, Afghans, and others trying to flee the country must bravely confront the Taliban-owned streets to reach the airport. Helicopters and US troops went out of the airport to rescue 169 people.
Americans were encouraged to leave Afghanistan earlier this year and were encouraged to do so as the Taliban settled rapidly this month.
Those who choose to stay receive changing advice from US authorities regarding their trip to the airport.
The US Embassy in Afghanistan told Americans on August 15 to evacuate to their place due to the unstable security situation there.
The directive was in effect until August 18, when Americans were told that U.S. government flights were departing from the airport, but the government was told that they could not guarantee safe passage to the facility. ..
A similar message was advertised Thursday, but with another warning.
“We handle people at multiple gates. Due to the large number of people and security concerns, gates may open and close without notice. We make the best decisions and from open gates to the airport. Please come in, “said a US citizen.
Zachary Stieber covers US news, including politics and proceedings. He started in The Epoch Times as a metro reporter for New York City.