By Janet Ekstract
ISTANBUL (TURKISH JOURNAL) – The U.S. State Department has issued a warning to all U.S. citizens at gates outside Hamid Karzai International Airport to leave “immediately” due to threats. The security alert issued on Wednesday, by the U.S. Embassy in Kabul reads: “Because of security threats outside the gates of Kabul airport, we are advising U.S. citizens to avoid traveling to the airport and to avoid airport gates at this time unless you receive individual instructions from a U.S. government representative to do so. U.S. citizens who are at the Abbey Gate, East Gate, or North Gate now should leave immediately.”
The alert did not give specific details about the threats but increasing chaos and reports of violence at the airport have created growing concerns about airport security and the safety of those trying to access the airport. U.S. President Joe Biden said: “Everyday we’re on the ground is another day we know that ISIS-K is seeking to target the airport and attack both U.S. and allied forces and innocent civilians.” Meanwhile, also on Wednesday, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office issued a similar, urgent warning message about the threat of terrorism at the airport. Their statement read: “The security situation in Afghanistan remains volatile. There is an ongoing and high threat of terrorist attack. Do not travel to Kabul Hamid Karzai International Airport. If you are in the area of the airport, move away to a safe location and await further advice.” The current estimate according to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is that at least 1,500 American citizens still require evacuation from Afghanistan.
