Afghans who formerly worked with EU missions in Kabul are trapped indoors and cannot get to the airport to be evacuated, a former employee of the Dutch embassy told Euronews.
On Monday the Taliban’s military commanders issued a public call for fighters to immediately stop searching homes in the Afghan capital and taking down the details of ex-diplomatic staff.
But a father-of-two hiding in Kabul said a lack of co-ordination within the ranks meant the informal raids were still going on. “They’re still doing it,” he said. “I’m watching them right now from my flat.
“Another major problem is that there are groups of criminals looting shops. The Taliban have emphasised they will protect people’s security and not disturb people who were working with foreigners. But there’s still a lot of fear and panic. Everybody is trying to stay inside.”
Too late for a visa
For most Afghans who were formerly staff on EU missions it is now too late to obtain a visa. Some governments — including the Danish, German, Dutch and Czech authorities — are still working to process departures at Kabul Airport.
France has relocated its embassy in Kabul to the airport to evacuate all citizens still in Afghanistan, initially transferring them to Abu Dhabi. The British and German ambassadors also both stayed on at Kabul Airport yesterday to personally process visas for former staffers.
But, the ex-Dutch employee said, it’s currently near-impossible to get to the airport. “There were thousands of people there yesterday. About five percent are eligible for evacuation; 95 percent are normal people who think the planes will take everybody, which isn’t true.
“There’s no way to enter the airport right now. The Americans are shooting at people, the Taliban are shooting at people. It’s too risky for us to go with kids.”
Terrified of reprisals
He added that most foreign missions need Afghans to bring some form of ID, such as a passport, and their contract to ensure they are…