Afghanistan Crisis: After US and UK, Australia Asks Its Citizens Not to Visit Kabul Airport Amid ‘Highly Volatile’ Situation
Canberra, August 26: After the United States and the United Kingdom, Australia has also asked its citizens to not visit Kabul airport as the situation in Afghanistan remains “highly volatile” and there is an “ongoing and very high threat” of a terrorist attack.
In a statement to the press on Thursday, Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said that the Australian government remains focused on safe evacuation from the Afghanistan of many Australians and visa holders as possible and for as long as possible.
Also Read | Australia Reports More Than 1,000 New COVID-19 Cases In a Single Day, First Time Since the Start of the Pandemic.
“Our clear travel advice is now, do not travel to Hamid Karzai International Airport and if you are in the area of the airport, move to a safe location and await further advice,” Senator Payne said.┬аAfghanistan Crisis: US Warns Its Citizens to ‘Leave Immediately’ From Kabul Airport Gates Over Security Threat.
“Afghanistan remains highly volatile and dangerous. Be aware of the potential for violence and security threats with large crowds. There is an ongoing and very high threat of a terrorist attack,” she added.
Also Read | US Hints at Keeping Kabul Airport Functioning Post August 31 Withdrawal Deadline.
Washington and London have also revised their travel advice, urging people not to attempt the dangerous journey to the airport in Afghanistan’s capital.
This comes as thousands of people are still attempting to make the arduous journey to Kabul airport to flee the Taliban.
According to Sydney Morning Herald, more than 1000 Afghans with Australian visas remain stuck in Kabul. Taliban, meanwhile, has blocked all the roads outside the Kabul airport and is saying that only foreign citizens will be allowed to enter the airport.
Australian Assistant Defence Minister Andrew Hastie said the situation around the airport had significantly deteriorated and there was now a “high” risk of a suicide bomb attack outside it.
This comes as the foreign troops’ withdrawal deadline is approaching. US President Joe Biden recently made it clear that the US is sticking to the 31 August deadline for withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Earlier, several countries had urged the US to extend its deadline for troops drawdown as several foreign citizens and vulnerable Afghans are still stuck in the war-ravaged country.
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