First Look at US Base Hosting Afghan Evacuees

The Biden administration on Friday provided the first public look inside one of the U.S. military base where Afghans airlifted out of Afghanistan are being screened, amid questions about how the government is caring for the refugees and vetting them.

READ MORE: Taliban authorities allowed a Qatari charter flight to leave for Doha from the Kabul airport Thursday, the first flight for evacuees to take off since the United States ended its military operation in Afghanistan on Aug. 31.

“Today, the United States government facilitated the departure of U.S citizens and lawful permanent residents on a chartered Qatar Airways flight from Hamid Karzai International Airport. We can confirm that flight has safely landed in Qatar,” National Security Council spokesperson Emily Horne said in a statement. “The Taliban have been cooperative in facilitating the departure of American citizens and lawful permanent residents on charter flights from HKIA. They have shown flexibility, and they have been businesslike and professional in our dealings with them in this effort. This is a positive first step.”

Horne added that the U.S. will “continue these efforts to facilitate the safe and orderly travel of American citizens, lawful permanent residents, and Afghans who worked for us and wish to leave Afghanistan.”

Both Reuters and AFP reported the flight carried 113 passengers, among them 21 American citizens or legal residents, 43 Canadians and 13 Dutch nationals, their foreign ministries said.

LINK: www.voanews.com/south-central-asia/taliban-allow-flight-americans-other-westerners-depart-kabul