Afghanistan crisis: Blinken thanks UAE for agreeing to host 5000 Afghan refugees

Following a swift Taliban takeover on 15 August, thousands of people were evacuated by foreign troops. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday, 20 August, thanked its partner countries who played an important role to help m evacuate US citizens and 'at-risk Afghans' from Kabul. At request of United States, United Arab Emirates has agreed to host 5,000 Afghan nationals to be evacuated from ir country for 10 days on ir way to a third country.

Since 14 August,  US facilitated departure of approximately 13,000 people on military aircraft. 

In a statement, Blinken said, "We are working around clock to maximise evacuations; we have facilitated departure of approximately 13,000 people on US military aircraft since 14 August and continue to ramp up operations".

Secretary Blinken furr said, "We deeply appreciate support y have offered, and are proud to partner with m in our shared support of Afghan people. We are encouraged by or countries that are also considering providing support. We have no higher priority than safety and security of US citizens overseas and to fulfill our commitments to citizens of partner nations and at-risk Afghans."

Terming evacuation from Afghanistan "most difficult and largest airlift" ever in history, US President Joe Biden earlier on Friday h said, "Kabul evacuation is among largest and most difficult airlifts in history."

As western countries me efforts to evacuate as many Afghan nationals as possible, Biden said, "I have seen no question of our credibility from our allies. As a matter of fact, exact opposite I have got ... we're acting with dispatch, we're acting, committing to what we said we would do."

UAE to host 5,000 Afghans

On Friday, 20 August,  Gulf Arab state's foreign ministry said, " evacuees will travel to UAE from Afghan capital of Kabul on US aircraft in coming days."

statement furr informed that UAE has so far facilitated evacuation of 8,500 people from Afghanistan on its aircraft and through its airports. 

Three US helicopters transport 169 Americans

Recently, Fox News reporter Lucas Tomlinson tweeted US military h used three CH-47 "Chinook" helicopters to bring 169 Americans to Hamid Karzai International Airport, only escape route from Kabul. 

On Friday, 20 August, US evacuation flights from Kabul's airport were stopped for more than six hours while US authorities looked for countries willing to accept people fleeing Afghanistan. Flights were resumed later in day. On same day, US officials from both State Department and Pentagon declined to confirm veracity of helicopter mission that was reportedly executed earlier in day.

(With ANI input)

(Image credit: AP)