Today: 24 June 2025
30 July 2021
2 mins read

US evacuates 200 allies who helped during Afghan war

The very first of such evacuation flights landed early in the morning at Washington’s Dulles International Airport…reports Asian Lite News

The United States on Friday flew 200 Afghans, allies who aided the Americans during the Afghanistan war, to their new home away from the Taliban’s direct threat. The very first of such evacuation flights landed early in the morning at Washington’s Dulles International Airport, reported the Associated Press, citing an internal US government document and a commercial flight-tracking service. The airliner carried 221 Afghans in all, including 57 children and 15 babies, according to the document.

Meanwhile, the US Congress is taking steps to expedite visas for the Afghans to help them settle into their new lives in America. The federal government passed emergency legislation earlier on Thursday afternoon that would, among other things, increase the number of visas for allies who worked alongside Americans in the Afghanistan war.

The $2.1 billion bill provides for revamped security at the Capitol building in Washington, a measure deemed much-needed after the violent January 6 violence, and also allocates additional funds for the translators and others who worked closely with US government troops and civilians in Afghanistan.

Afghan security force members take part in a military operation against Taliban in Khwaja Khar district of Takhar province, Afghanistan

The US evacuations are meant to resettle former translators and others who fear retaliation from Afghanistan’s Taliban for having worked with American service members and civilians. Just one week ago, the Taliban beheaded a translator, Sohail Pardis, right near his home in capital Kabul. Pardis worked as a translator for the United States army for 16 months during the conflict that spanned over two decades.

The evacuation flights highlight American uncertainty about how Afghanistan’s government and military will fare after the last US combat forces leave that country in coming weeks, the Associated Press noted.

The interpreters and other allies of the US who are being flown in American flights are also accompanied by their families. They were expected to stay at Fort Lee, Virginia for several days, US officials said earlier this month. Subsequent flights are due to bring more of the applicants who are farthest along in the process of getting visas, having already won approval and cleared security screening.

ALSO READ: PROXY WAR IN AFGHANISTAN: Pakistan in a fix as GCC, West flex muscles

Previous Story

US to hit Iran with more sanctions for missile, drone program

Next Story

Annual Indo-Pacific Business Forum to be held on Oct 28-29

Latest from -Top News

Trump Lashes Out Over Fragile Truce

Trump mentioned that both countries “violated” the ceasefire that was announced late Monday….reports Asian Lite News US President Donald Trump on Tuesday issued a stern warning to both Israel and Iran, accusing

Qatar Summons Iran Envoy Over Base Strike

Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed to Iranian Ambassador Ali Saleh Abadi that it reserves the right to respond to this flagrant violation in accordance with international law. Qatar on Tuesday summoned

No Ceasefire Deal, Says Tehran

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says no “agreement” on ceasefire between Israel and Iran…reports Asian Lite News Uncertainty and scepticism mounted on Monday after a surprise ceasefire announcement by the United States,

Qatar: Retaliation on the Table

Majed Al Ansari added that the State of Qatar strongly condemns the attack that targeted Al-Udeid Air Base by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard….reports Asian Lite News Qatar on Monday announced that it

Trump Claims Iran-Israel Truce

The announcement followed a symbolic show of Iran, which shot missiles at a US base in Qatar after having given the US notice of the strike, according to Trump….reports Asian Lite News
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Putin says US presence in Afghanistan ended in tragedies

The Russian leader has a track record of criticizing Western

US-UK coalition strikes Houthi targets in Yemen

Locals said the strikes hit mobile military targets of the