Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan

Airbornewolf wrote:Complete anarchy at Kabul airport.

Afghan's rush C-17 wanting to start take-off. AH-64 charges in to scare them off.
C-17 rolling down runway with people near its gear and under the wings.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1427171566291464193

Well,...i guess Brad pitts world war Z jeruzalem airport scenes are possible in real-life after all.

JohninMK wrote:Given the scenes of crowds on the runways there must been a real risk of US and other troops being trapped there as the last aircraft to leave won't be able to take off without mowing down lots of people. Not video the US will like. Even if the last flights out to leave at night the carnage will be there the following morning.

The US/UK have made the problem worse by flying in more troops that will have to fly out again. Potentially having to shoot their way out. Did they think this through?

Their only hope is for the Taliban to clear the airfield. Oh the ignominy.


IntelWalrus
@IntelWalrus
·
5h
An ACARS message just sent to a USAF C-17 Globemaster en route to #Afghanistan seems to suggest that if the plane returns with anything other than the crew and cargo they will be turned away from Al Udeid airbase in #Qatar and sent to #Kuwait. Is Qatar refusing refugee flights?

British forces returning to Afghanistan 'not on the cards', says Defence Secretary Ben Wallace

The Taliban has now seized control of all major cities in Afghanistan after entering the capital of Kabul. Defence secretary Ben Wallace confirmed 370 UK embassy staff and British citizens were flown from the country yesterday and the day before.

Monday 16 August 2021 09:25, UK

British forces going back to Afghanistan is "not on the cards", Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has told Sky News.

Mr Wallace said it was not yet the right time to decide on whether to recognise the Taliban as the Afghan government.

"I think there is a lot of more to come before those decisions are made," he said.

Mr Wallace did acknowledge that the Taliban "are in control" of Afghanistan, saying there is a sense of sadness at Kabul's fall.

The Taliban has now seized control of all major cities after insurgents took control of the capital. Fighters claimed around 90% of Afghan state buildings are under the control of militants.

However, military flights continue to enter and leave the country and Mr Wallace said "they've just brought in more UK soldiers", with Border Force "joining us to make sure that we accelerate the process to get more Afghans out, which is our obligation".

He continued: "We will do everything we can to bring as many people out as possible."

370 UK embassy staff and British citizens were flown out of the country yesterday and the day before, with the first flight landing at RAF Brize Norton overnight.

"The next group of Afghans to come out will be 782 and we'll make sure we get them in the next 24 to 36 hours out of the country and are continuing to process those people," Mr Wallace said.

When asked if the Taliban had changed, he told Sky News: "It does not look like a change.

The British Embassy in Kabul has now been evacuated, and Mr Wallace confirmed: "It's not the embassy anymore, we have left that location, we've drawn down within the airport."


Overnight, the US State Department also confirmed all its staff had been safely evacuated from the American embassy in Kabul.

Mr Wallace said: "The US have made itself clear that they're not intending to stay and as the framework nation that leaves us with difficult choices and I've been pretty much honest about that all the way through this process."

Afghanistan: Taliban declares the war is over amid reports of revenge killings and brutal tactics

he Taliban has declared that the war in Afghanistan is over after insurgents took control of the presidential palace in Kabul.

Ashraf Ghani, the country's embattled president, has fled the country - and now, the hardline group is planning to announce the creation of an Islamic Emirate.

Speaking to Al Jazeera, Taliban spokesman Mohammed Naeem said the type of regime it plans to enforce will become clear soon.

Taliban forces patrolling a street in Herat on Saturday
Image:
Taliban forces patrolling a street in Herat on Saturday
Live updates on Afghanistan as Taliban enters Kabul

He added that the Islamist militants want to develop channels of communication with foreign countries and pursue a peaceful transition.


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"We do not think that foreign forces will repeat their failed experience in Afghanistan once again," Naeem added.






Footage on the TV channel showed Taliban commanders in the presidential palace along with armed fighters.

More on Afghanistan
First flight carrying British nationals evacuated from Afghanistan arrives in UK
British forces returning to Afghanistan 'not on the cards', says Defence Secretary Ben Wallace
Afghanistan: Trump calls for Biden to resign, as Dominic Raab accused of 'going AWOL' with week-long holiday
Afghanistan: Hundreds sprint to Kabul airport - the only way out - as morning breaks a day after Taliban's takeover
Afghanistan: The difference in Kabul now is staggering. Streets are deserted, and people are in traditional clothing
Afghanistan: Finger of blame for Taliban crisis can be pointed in many directions
One of the co-founders of the Taliban, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, has said the group's real test begins now as it turns its attention to governing.


Play Video - The moment the Taliban took over Kabul
The moment the Taliban took over Kabul
The militants have been seeking to project a more moderate image by promising to respect women's rights - and reassuring Afghans and foreigners alike that their lives are not at stake.

Taliban leaders have ordered fighters to allow citizens to resume their daily activities - and have been told to do nothing that might scare civilians.

But many Afghans are fearful that the Taliban could reimpose the kind of brutal rule that all but eliminated women's rights, with some lining up at cash machines to withdraw their savings.

Eyewitness: Stuart Ramsay
Eyewitness: Stuart Ramsay
Roads in downtown Kabul were choked with cars yesterday, prompting some of those attempting to flee the country to walk to the airport instead.

The Taliban has insisted that its fighters would not enter people's homes or interfere with businesses, and that an amnesty would be offered to those who worked with the Afghan government or foreign forces.

However, there have been reports of revenge killings and other brutal tactics in areas of the country that the insurgents have seized in recent days.


Play Video - Afghans try to flee at airport
Afghans try to flee at airport
One female journalist sent messages to her colleagues that said armed men entered her apartment building and started banging on her door, and it is unclear what has happened to her.

In one voice message, she said: "What should I do? Should I call the police or the Taliban?"

During the Taliban's rule between 1996 and 2001, sharia law was imposed harshly. Women could not work - and punishments such as stoning, whipping and hanging were administered.

President Ghani has been criticised for fleeing the country, with some local social media users branding him a coward for leaving them in chaos.

His whereabouts is unknown - but on Facebook, Ghani said he thought it was "best to get out" to avoid bloodshed and clashes that would endanger millions of residents in the capital.

Afghanistan's acting defence minister Bismillah Khan Mohammadi said: "They tied our hands from behind and sold the country. Curse Ghani and his gang."


Play Video - Where now for Afghanistan?
Where now for Afghanistan?
Meanwhile, the Afghan embassy in India tweeted: "We are all banging our heads in shame."

The UN has said there are "reports of serious human rights abuses and violations in the communities most affected by the fighting" - and that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is "particularly concerned about the future of women and girls, whose hard-won rights must be protected".

Heavily armed Taliban fighters fanned out across Kabul yesterday - taking over abandoned police posts and pledging to maintain law and order during the transition.


Play Video - Was the Afghan war worth fighting?
Was the Afghan war worth fighting?
Looting has also been reported in parts of the capital, including the diplomatic district, and messages on social media have urged people to stay inside and lock their doors.

The Taliban managed to seize almost all of Afghanistan in just over a week, despite the billions of dollars spent by the US and NATO over 20 years to build Afghan security forces.

Days ago, a US military assessment had estimated that Kabul would not come under pressure from insurgents for a month.

Taliban seize Afghanistan – live: ‘At least five dead’ at Kabul airport as thousands attempt to flee country

As the Taliban took control of the presidential palace in Kabul and assumed control of the Afghan capital, 26 countries led by the US urged the Islamic group to let Afghans leave the country, warning of accountability for human rights abuse.

President Ashraf Ghani fled the country on Sunday as Taliban entered the city, saying he wanted to “avoid bloodshed.” He did not disclose his location but reports claimed that Mr Ghani had flown to Tajikistan along with national security adviser Hamdullah Mohib and other close associates.


American diplomats were evacuated from their embassy by helicopter to the airport while thousands of people rushed to the airport, desperate to leave the country.

The Taliban have assured that no retribution will be meted out, but there have been executions in areas under its control such as Spin Boldak and Ghazni.

https://twitter.com/ragipsoylu/status/1427202316512514050?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1427202316512514050%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fd-2955071862879770738.ampproject.net%2F2107170150000%2Fframe.html

SeigSoloyvov wrote:
John come on you are better than this, We aren't going to start gunning down civis, we can remove them with non-lethal means if needed.

Airbornewolf wrote:Meanwhile on Kabul Airport......
I am wondering how Blinken and the White house are going to weasle their way from this sort of footage.
And keep sticking to "this is not saigon"

JohninMK wrote:

Airbornewolf wrote:Meanwhile on Kabul Airport......
I am wondering how Blinken and the White house are going to weasle their way from this sort of footage.
And keep sticking to "this is not saigon"

Easy peasy.

Get your mates at Youtube to delete it. Then it never happened. It will be Twitter videos next.

Then it will have been a totally peaceful exit with rose petals covering the US heroes pulling out, courtesy some CGI.

JohninMK wrote:Sorry, couldn't resist