By Janet Ekstract
ISTANBUL – On Thursday, in a number of regions in Afghanistan, Afghans raised their national flag in defiance of the Taliban on their Independence Day. There were reports of citizens pulling up the Taliban flag, shots being fired into the air by the Taliban to disperse crowds and a curfew being imposed on the city and surrounding area of Khost. CNN reported that its main female correspondent on the ground there was accosted with her crew by Taliban soldiers. There are also widespread reports of the Taliban blocking people from getting to and from Hamid Karzai International Airport where a number of people were allegedly killed a day ago. Eyewitnesses say the Taliban are patroling the streets of Kabul and that fear and forboding are pervasive throughout the country. CNN reported that on Thursday, the Taliban announced its defeat over the U.S.
Meanwhile, at the airport, there are widespread reports of Afghan women desperate to save their children from the Taliban, handing them over to U.S. soldiers across barbed wire fences to get them out of the country.
On Thursday, in a press briefing from the Pentagon, U.S. General Taylor gave an operational update on Afghanistan. Taylor said that over 5,200 soldiers are currently on the ground in Kabul and the airport remains open for incoming and outgoing flights. The flights contain more than 2,000 passengers Taylor said and added that so far, 7,000 total evacuees have left Afghanistan, saying if you include SIVs, that number reaches 12,000. Taylor said: ”We are prioritizing people above all else.” He said there has been no interference so far on their mission to get people out of the country. Taylor added that enhanced security has been provided with overwatch flights and the general reiterated:”We’re committed to the safe evacuatıon of as many people as safely as possible.” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said the focus is on getting out as many people as quickly as possible from Afghanistan. Kirby said there has been no decision to extend the pullout deadline of August 31 and Kirby added that conversations concerning extending the troop deadline have not been discussed with the Taliban, to date. Kirby said, ”we’re always evaluating the threat” and ”we’re doing everything wWe can” to protect everyone. He said, ”it’s something we’re looking at hour by hour.” General Taylor explained the ability to provide close air support, we ensure there are always assets available to the commander in the case of threats. Kirby added: “We haven’t seen the Taliban obstruct our evacuatıons at the airport.” General Taylor said there is an “understanding” between the U.S. and the Taliban on getting evacuees out of the airport.
