The United States urged crowds gathered near Kabul Airport, hoping to enter for evacuation from Afghanistan after its takeover by the Taliban, to leave the area immediately due to "security threats." Meanwhile, Britain and Australia issued more specific warnings about a "high threat" of a terrorist attack.
The British Foreign Office wrote late Wednesday on its website, "Do not go to Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul." It added, "There is a high and ongoing risk of a terrorist attack," while thousands of Afghans remain gathered at the airport gates hoping to be evacuated from their country after it was seized by the militant Islamist group. The Foreign Office advised, "If you are in the airport area, leave it for a safe place and await further instructions." It also urged, "If you can leave Afghanistan safely by other means, do so immediately."
The U.S. State Department issued a similar warning but with more specific locations, stating that "individuals currently at the following entrances to the airport: Abbey Gate, East Gate, and North Gate, must leave immediately,” citing unspecified "security threats."
Australia's Foreign Department warned that "there is an extremely high threat of a terrorist attack." Like Britain, Australia advised those trying to leave Afghanistan not to head to the airport and requested that those currently outside it "go to a safe location and await further information."
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated Wednesday that the Taliban had pledged to allow Americans, citizens of other countries, and also "at-risk" Afghan citizens to depart after foreign forces complete their withdrawal from Kabul on August 31.
Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, chaos has engulfed Kabul Airport, resulting in the deaths of at least eight people. On Wednesday evening, Belgium announced it had halted evacuations from Kabul Airport, a decision made just days before U.S. forces securing the site were set to complete their withdrawal from Afghanistan.
