08/23/2021

Kabul Airlifts Accelerating

More than 37,000 have already been saved

The U.S.-led evacuation of Americans and others from the chaotic Kabul airport is accelerating, with a one-day doubling of the number airlifted out of the country, although President Joe Biden is not ruling out extending the mission beyond the August 31 deadline he set before the Taliban's takeover.

Over the 24 hours that ended early morning Monday, 28 U.S. military flights evacuated approximately 10,400 people from Kabul, according to a White House official. In addition, 61 coalition aircraft evacuated approximately 5,900 people. Combined, that is more than double the number airlifted in the previous 24-hour period — 3,900 aboard U.S. military aircraft and 3,900 aboard coalition planes.

In remarks at the White House on Sunday, Biden defended his decision to end the war and insisted getting all Americans out of the country would have been difficult in the best of circumstances.

Please select this link to read the complete article from The Associated Press.