A massive, unofficial effort has begun to evacuate thousands of vulnerable people. Afghanistan US military veterans, diplomats and politicians scramble to beat President Biden’s August 31 deadline.
Controversial private military contractor Eric Prince, a former foreign minister, is charging $6,500 to get him safely into the airport and on flights Hillary Clinton The charter planes were part of an effort to rescue the women.
It is part of an operation to evacuate foreigners and help thousands of Afghans working for the US military, foreign governments or charities who fear death. Taliban.
“It’s just an estimate, but we’ve probably facilitated 1,500 people out of the country, hurriedly assembled groups of special operations and CIA veterans,” said Marine Lieutenant Colonel Russell Worth Parker of Task Force Dunkirk.
His figures include work done with similar coalitions – including Team America, which uses digital expertise to track and advise people on the ground, and Task Force Pineapple, an Afghan being hunted by the Taliban. What began with an operation to rescue the commandos—and much more—the non-profit established left no one behind.
Thousands still wait outside Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, submitting several papers they say are eligible for resettlement abroad
The lucky ones will take it to a new life in a safe country in a military transport plane
Rescue efforts include former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who was involved in an effort to rent a plane to vulnerable women, and private military contractor Eric Prince who is offering his company’s expertise for a price.
They each developed from the same seed.
Parker said, ‘Each of us thought: We’ve got a guy or two out there to get us out. ‘That’s how most of these things started.’
And they are driven by similar instincts.
“My last time in Afghanistan was supporting Afghan special operators, so we have many friends to whom we feel a deep debt of loyalty,” Parker said.
The loan fuels an operation that runs on Pentagon contacts, calls to Congressional offices and has years of information in Afghanistan.
His work has taken on additional urgency in the last 24 hours.
On Tuesday, the Taliban announced they were closing airport routes to Afghans, who were told they could no longer flee.
Hours later, Biden announced that evacuation efforts were ‘on pace’ to be finished by the end of the month.
The White House said it believed foreigners and Afghans could still access the airport.
The result has been constant chaos around Hamid Karzai International Airport, with thousands of desperate people demanding security.
Biden has fueled the anger of military veterans by refusing to extend the evacuation beyond August 31. He says he is leaving those who risked their lives to help America.
Grizzled veterans leading the unofficial rescue expressed disbelief at the White House, claiming the operation was successful and that Afghans could get safely through checkpoints and the crush of thousands to reach the airport.
As one put it, it’s ‘like walking through a 400-yard Metallica mosh pit with five kids.’
Migrants and Afghans are swapping advice on WhatsApp groups, informing others about the location of Taliban outposts or promising leads on flights.
The charity is coordinating with the US military to obtain charter flights to Kabul, including one reportedly hosted by former Secretary of State Clinton.
And Congressional offices are making hundreds of requests for help, working with the Pentagon and the State Department to reach people on the ground.
“We are working with both Congressional offices and networks on the ground in Kabul to facilitate the movement and coordinate entry into HKIA, filling in the gaps left by the State Department,” he said. Former Green Beret elected representative Mike Waltz said. to Congress.
Private military contractors are offering their services to people who have the money to pay – such as media organizations or private businesses.
Prince, who founded Blackwater, said he could bring people into airports and planes for as little as $6500 per person – more if the individuals were stuck in their homes.
When the details were published by the Wall Street Journal it made allegations of profiteering.
But military experts said it was just part of a scuffle to get people out of the battlefield.
Bill Roggio, an army veteran and editor of the Long War Journal, said: ‘Eric Prince is the press’s favorite punching bag.
‘He is trying to drive people out of the country and is taking a big risk to do so.’
American soldiers guard an airport tower near an evacuation control post in Kabul. Taliban took back control of country 10 days ago as US forces prepare to depart
Taliban fighters search a vehicle at a checkpoint in Kabul. People trying to escape will have to run a checkpoint to get to the airport
The Taliban captured Kabul without a fight last weekend and are now forming a new government
Instead he said the veteran was angry at the Biden administration for potentially leaving behind thousands of Afghan translators, soldiers and other staff by meeting the August 31 deadline.
And he scoffed at the White House, claiming that anyone who needed to get out could still get to the airport.
‘The facts speak for themselves. This administration is touting the operation as a success,’ he said, ‘but we know what we are seeing.
‘We are hearing one story after another from people having trouble reaching the airport’
‘I am aware of families who have had to travel many times. Luckily they got out but risking the lives of their families – we are talking of young children – in danger.’
Parker said work would continue long after August 31, with rescues as well as evacuations continuing to support them when they arrived in foreign lands.
“The amount of effort that will be required for the exiting people is going to be huge,” he said.
‘Look at history, for 20 years people came out of Vietnam.
‘We will have a huge elevator in which we will need to support the people who came out and the people who were still trying to come out.’
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