The Pentagon announced that air traffic has resumed at Kabul Airport early Tuesday local time after U.S. forces were forced to halt operations since Monday afternoon due to chaos resulting from the overcrowding of the runways with thousands of Afghans trying to flee their country after it fell into the hands of the Taliban. Major General Hank Taylor, an official in the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon, stated that the airport was reopened at 19:35 UTC on Monday evening. He added that air traffic resumed with the landing of a C-17 military transport aircraft carrying U.S. Marines, indicating that a second similar aircraft carrying a U.S. Army unit would follow, in reinforcements aimed at ensuring the security of the airport.
Videos circulating on social media displayed scenes of overwhelming chaos at the airport, where thousands were gathered on the runway, while groups of young people clung to the steps leading to the aircraft. The American general clarified that the United States "is responsible for monitoring air traffic" at Hamid Karzai International Airport, mentioning that it organizes both military and commercial flight operations. He further noted that there are currently about 2,500 U.S. soldiers in Kabul assisting in the evacuation of thousands of Americans and Afghans who worked with them as translators and in other roles. The major general pointed out that by the end of Monday U.S. time, there would be between 3,000 and 3,500 U.S. soldiers on the ground. He stated, "Our focus now is on maintaining security at Hamid Karzai International Airport, organizing air traffic, while simultaneously protecting Americans and Afghan civilians."
