[Politics] Afghanistan: UK's Kabul evacuation operating at full pace - commander

[Mr.Talha]

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-58244927

 

 

The UK's evacuation programme in Afghanistan is "operating at full pace" but the changing political situation means it "can't afford to pause and wait", a military commander has said.

Vice Adm Sir Ben Key, who is running the evacuation, said around 300 people had been flown out so far.

But Sir Ben said the operation was dependent on the security situation.

Boris Johnson said any recognition of a Taliban government would "be subject to them upholding" human rights standards.

In total, the UK hopes to help 6,000 to 7,000 British nationals and eligible Afghan staff to leave, he said.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said around 2,000 former Afghan staff and their families had been resettled in the UK since 22 June under an existing resettlement scheme.

There were chaotic scenes at Kabul airport on Monday, as thousands tried to flee the country after the Taliban seized control of the capital.

A number of people died and large crowds on the runway led to all flights being halted for several hours.

However, Chief Joint Operations Vice Admiral Sir Ben said the situation was now "much calmer".

"I'm very confident that we now have a stable airfield in which we can get on with the business, alongside all of our allies and partners, that we need to do," he said.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I expect that we will increase our aid budget for development and humanitarian purposes - probably by 10%, is what I have in mind - on last year. We want to try and make sure it doesn't go through the Taliban."

One would assume by "last year" that Mr Raab was referring to aid spending in the 2020-21 financial year, when the UK gave £167.5m of aid to Afghanistan.

That was before the government cut the foreign aid budget earlier this year. Prior to today, aid to Afghanistan was set to fall to £37.5m - an annual reduction of £130m.

However, if, as Raab has implied, a further 10% were added to the aid given in 2020-21, it would bring the UK's spending in Afghanistan up to £184.25m.

If a 10% increase was applied to the post-cuts budget then it would represent a massive decrease on the 2020-21 budget. We have asked the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to clarify the position but they have yet to comment.

He said three flights had landed in Kabul so far on Tuesday and more were planned.

Military aircraft are also flying from Afghanistan to airports across the region, where people can then be put on civilian charter flights, he added.

The UK has sent about 900 troops to Afghanistan to help evacuate British nationals and Afghans who are eligible to resettle in the UK.

This group includes Afghans who worked for the British government, as well as interpreters, cultural advisers and embassy staff. Others eligible are those deemed to be at high and imminent risk, according to the Ministry of Defence.