Afghan cop killed in shootout with unknown attackers at Kabul airport
Berlin/Kabul, Aug 23 (EFE).- An Afghan policeman was killed Monday in a gun battle between security forces and unknown attackers at the North Gate of the Kabul airport, the German military said, amid ongoing chaos at the airport as thousands try to flee Taliban rule.
Three more people suffered wounds in the exchange of fire, in which American and German forces were also involved, which took place in the morning,
“(The) gun battle broke out between Afghan security forces and unknown attackers at the North gate of Kabul airport. An Afghan security man was killed, and three others were wounded,” said the German Bundeswehr in a tweet.
The military said all German soldiers were safe.
The shootout happened as thousands of Afghans and foreigners throng at the airport for evacuation flights since last Sunday when the Taliban marched into capital Kabul.
The rush has thrown the Hamid Karzai International Airport into chaos as desperate people hope to get onto one of the outbound flights so that they could leave the war-torn country.
Seven Afghan civilians died amid the chaotic situation at Kabul airport Sunday, the British Defense Ministry and the Islamist group said.
The Taliban Monday blamed the United States for civilian deaths at the airport.
“The US forces stationed in the Hamid Karzai Airport are responsible for the killing of the civilians as they invited them,” Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid told EFE.
Mujahid said Taliban fighters took control of the airport to bring the situation under control.
A British defense ministry spokesperson said the “conditions on the ground remain extremely challenging but we are doing everything we can to manage the situation as safely and securely as possible.”
The White House estimated there were still 10,000-15,000 Americans in Afghanistan and 50,000 to 65,000 Afghans and their families who the US wants to evacuate.
On Sunday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin asked for US commercial airlines to assist in the evacuation effort.
Meanwhile, the Taliban have ruled any extension for foreign evacuations from Afghanistan.
“It is a red line. (US) President Joe Biden announced that on Aug 31 they would withdraw all their military forces. So if they extend it that means they are extending occupation while there is no need for that,” Taliban spokesperson Suhail Shaheen told British news channel Sky News.
“If the US or UK were to seek additional time to continue evacuations – the answer is no. Or there would be consequences.”
He said such a move would create “create mistrust between us.”
“If they are intent on continuing the occupation it will provoke a reaction.” EFE
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