The Lasting Evacuation Effort In Afghanistan: How Many Are Still Stranded?

The number of people left to evacuate in Afghanistan is difficult to determine, as it constantly changes. However, it is estimated that around 100 to 200 Americans remain in Afghanistan and want to leave. The Biden administration has been working to evacuate these individuals, but it has faced criticism for not providing a clear estimate of how many people need to be rescued. In total, the US and its allies have evacuated more than 100,000 people since mid-August 2021, when the Taliban took control of the country.

The US evacuated 6,000 Americans and 73,500 third-country nationals and Afghan civilians

The US evacuation of Afghanistan has been a highly complex and challenging operation, with thousands of civilians seeking to flee the country following the Taliban takeover. The evacuation efforts have involved not just US aircraft but also those of coalition partners, with the US and its allies evacuating more than 114,000 people since mid-August 2021, when the Taliban entered Kabul.

The US military played a crucial role in this evacuation process, with over 6,000 Americans and 73,500 third-country nationals and Afghan civilians airlifted to safety by US military aircraft alone. This massive undertaking was carried out over an 18-day period, with US military planes departing Hamid Karzai International Airport every 45 minutes. The evacuation of American citizens was a top priority for the Biden administration, and the commitment was made to leave no American citizen behind who wished to leave Afghanistan.

The total number of civilians evacuated by US and coalition aircraft exceeded 123,000, a remarkable achievement under extremely difficult circumstances. This included not just Americans but also vulnerable Afghans, such as interpreters who worked with US forces and were eligible for special immigrant visas. The evacuation also included the families of these at-risk Afghans, ensuring their safety as well.

The evacuation efforts were not without criticism, however. Some US lawmakers and refugee advocates argued that the Biden administration could have done more to facilitate the evacuation of Afghans who had supported US forces during the war. There were also concerns about the lack of coordination and communication during the evacuation process, with some Americans and Afghans facing challenges in reaching the airport and boarding evacuation flights.

Despite these challenges, the US evacuation of 6,000 Americans and 73,500 third-country nationals and Afghan civilians represented a significant achievement and demonstrated the US commitment to its citizens and allies during a time of crisis in Afghanistan.

The UK evacuated 15,000 people, including 5,500-7,000 Afghans and their families

The UK evacuated 15,000 people from Kabul in a fortnight, including 5,000 British nationals and more than 8,000 Afghans who worked for the UK and their families, as well as many highly vulnerable people. The evacuation mission, Operation Pitting, began in April.

The UK's evacuation efforts included the use of RAF aircraft, with 1,988 people evacuated on eight RAF flights in the past 24 hours. The UK Border Force also assisted with the operation to help process evacuees.

The evacuation efforts were not without challenges, as reports emerged that Taliban checkpoints outside the airport were refusing entry to some Afghans and beating women and children. Despite these obstacles, the UK was able to successfully evacuate thousands of people, including British nationals and Afghans who worked with the UK government and British troops.

The UK's evacuation efforts were part of a larger international effort to evacuate vulnerable Afghans and foreign citizens from the country before the Taliban takeover. The US military played a significant role in these efforts, with US troops guarding the Kabul airport and providing security.

Overall, the UK's evacuation of 15,000 people, including 5,500-7,000 Afghans and their families, was a significant contribution to the international evacuation efforts in Afghanistan.

Canada evacuated 3,700 Canadian and Afghan citizens

Canada's evacuation efforts in Afghanistan have been the subject of much scrutiny and criticism. The Canadian government has been accused of failing to act swiftly and efficiently in rescuing its citizens and Afghan allies. The evacuation efforts ended on Thursday, ahead of the August 31 deadline set by the US for its troop withdrawal.

Acting Chief of the Defence Staff, General Wayne Eyre, announced that Canada had evacuated or facilitated the evacuation of approximately 3,700 Canadian and Afghan citizens. This figure includes both those evacuated on Canadian military flights and those evacuated with the help of allied countries. General Eyre expressed his heartbreak at not being able to rescue everyone, stating that the circumstances on the ground had rapidly deteriorated and that the evacuation mission faced significant and dynamic threats.

Canada's evacuation efforts were hampered by bureaucratic obstacles, a lack of diplomatic and military presence in the region, and the swift takeover by the Taliban. The government has been criticized for maintaining a cumbersome bureaucratic process that created obstacles for Afghans trying to flee. The lack of a robust military presence also made it difficult for Canada to negotiate safe passage for those trying to reach the airport.

The Canadian government has defended its actions, stating that the speed of the Taliban's takeover took many by surprise and that they had done everything they could within the limited timeframe. They have also emphasized their commitment to continue supporting those left behind and exploring options for further assistance.

The evacuation efforts have left many Canadians and Afghans stranded in Afghanistan, feeling abandoned and fearing for their lives. The government has advised those left behind to shelter in place and find safe locations to hide. While the Canadian evacuation flights have ended, the government is exploring alternative options to assist those still seeking to flee Afghanistan.

Germany evacuated 5,347 people, including 4,100 Afghans

Germany ended its evacuation flights on 26 August 2021, with the last of its military aircraft and troops arriving in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on the evening of 26 August. The German military evacuated 5,347 people, including more than 4,100 Afghans, as well as German nationals and citizens from at least 45 other nations.

The German government had previously identified 10,000 people who needed to be evacuated, including Afghan local staff, journalists, and human rights activists. About 300 German citizens remained in Afghanistan, according to a spokesman for the foreign office in Berlin.

The German Federal Armed Forces airlifted over 5,000 people from Kabul between 16 and 26 August 2021. This included over 530 German nationals, around 4,400 Afghans, and over 360 citizens from EU and other countries. Germany's evacuation efforts formed part of one of the largest airlift operations in history, with Ramstein Air Base in southwestern Germany serving as a temporary transit point for evacuees to the US.

Former local staff of the German Bundeswehr, their families, and other vulnerable Afghans who were evacuated to Germany received temporary residence permits in accordance with Section 22 of the German Residence Act. This act provides that a foreigner may be granted temporary residence by the interior ministry for a maximum of three years, with the possibility of extension.

France evacuated 3,000 people, including 2,600 Afghans

France evacuated nearly 3,000 people from Afghanistan, including 2,600 Afghans. The evacuation operations began on August 16, 2021, and continued for 11 days until August 27. During this period, the French government opened "Operation Apagan" to evacuate people to safety. The evacuees included Afghans who were at risk, such as journalists, former civil servants, artists, and actors, as well as French citizens.

The evacuation efforts were organized with the help of Qatar, and France and Qatar jointly operated a humanitarian mission to deliver medical equipment, food, and winter supplies to international organizations operating in Afghanistan. The French government also ensured optimal conditions for welcoming the evacuees, offering medical-psychological and practical support. Fast-track procedures were put in place to issue visas, and COVID-19 screening tests and vaccinations were provided.

Upon arrival in France, the Afghans who wished to remain in the country long-term were supported in practical and administrative ways with their asylum applications. They were offered specialist support with their residence permit applications and integration processes. Various French organizations also offered psychosocial support to help evacuees deal with the trauma of war and adjust to their new lives.

The evacuation of French and Afghan citizens was not without challenges. There were concerns about the security of the operation, with some, including far-right groups, worried that terrorists might be among the evacuees. However, the French authorities carried out thorough security checks and verification processes, mobilizing many interpreters to ensure the safety of the evacuation.

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