US warns of high terror threat at Kabul Airport, urges people to clear area immediately

US State Department warned its citizens at gates outside of airport in Kabul to leave "immediately" due to threats. People have been garing in large numbers outside Kabul airport post Taliban takeover, in an attempt to flee. "US citizens who are at Abbey Gate, East Gate, or North Gate now should leave immediately," a security alert from US Embassy in Kabul said. Because of security threats outside gates of Kabul Airport, US Embassy in Kabul is urging US citizens to avoid travelling to airport and to avoid airport gates until y get specific instructions from a US government representative.

US urges people to leave from gates outside Kabul airport immediately due to terror threats 

Although memo did not provide specific details about threats, re have been growing concerns about security at Kabul's Hamid Karzai International Airport as evacuations continue less than a week before deline of August 31 for  US military forces to leave Afghanistan. re is a constant threat that in middle of conflict with Taliban, Islamic State terror group, ISIS-K is seeking to target airport and attack both U.S. and allied forces and innocent civilians. As per embassy update,

• If people trying to leave are US citizens, US lawful permanent residents, immigrant visa applicants, or are linked with US government, y have received explicit orders to fly to Hamid Karzai International Airport, and y must follow those instructions, according to US embassy's guidelines. 
• People who have started SIV or P1/P2 procedure will be given information on what to do next. This procedure could take quite some time.
• People who are not members of above groups but want to escape Afghanistan and are part of a private evacuation effort have been asked not to come to airport until special orders are given for same from US flight organizers.

UK issues similar warning regarding terror threats

Since August 14, United States has evacuated or participated in evacuation of 58,700 persons. As of Tuesday, y h relocated around 63,900 persons since end of July. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of United Kingdom issued a similar warning regarding possibility of terrorism at airport. " security situation in Afghanistan remains volatile. re is an ongoing and high threat of terrorist attacks. Do not travel to Kabul Hamid Karzai International Airport. If you are in area of airport, move away to a safe location and await furr vice," updated guidance from office of UK government said on Wednesday.

(IMAGE: AP)