NATO Chief in Wake of Kabul Terror Attack: Evacuations Should Continue

Jens Stoltenberg, head of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), called on member nations to continue the effort to rescue their citizens from the grip of the Taliban on Thursday following multiple bombings at the international airport in Kabul, Afghanistan.

“I strongly condemn the horrific terrorist attack outside #Kabul airport,” Stoltenberg tweeted. “My thoughts are with all those affected and their loved ones. Our priority remains to evacuate as many people to safety as quickly as possible.”

I strongly condemn the horrific terrorist attack outside #Kabul airport. My thoughts are with all those affected and their loved ones. Our priority remains to evacuate as many people to safety as quickly as possible.

— Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) August 26, 2021

The explosions took place outside of the Kabul airport, where evacuations have been taking place over the past several days. An unknown number of Americans are still stranded in the country, as are thousands of Afghans who served with U.S. troops over the past two decades.

“Western nations had warned earlier in the day of a possible attack at the airport in the waning days of a massive airlift,” the Associated Press reported.

Shortly after Biden’s withdrawal got underway and conditions began to deteriorate last week, Stoltenberg spoke to reporters about Afghanistan.

Taliban fighters display their flag on patrol in Kabul, Afghanistan, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021. The Taliban celebrated Afghanistan's Independence Day on Thursday by declaring they beat the United States, but challenges to their rule ranging from running a country severely short on cash and bureaucrats to potentially facing an armed opposition began to emerge. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)

Taliban fighters display their flag on patrol in Kabul, Afghanistan, August 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)

“The North Atlantic Council has met to discuss Afghanistan. The situation is extremely serious and unpredictable. Kabul has fallen, and the Taliban have taken control of most of the country. I am deeply saddened by what I see unfolding in Afghanistan,” he said on August 17.

“NATO’s focus right now is to ensure the safe departure of personnel from Allied and partner countries, and of the Afghans who have helped us,” Stoltenberg said. “NATO has been working round the clock to maintain operations at Kabul international airport. Around 800 NATO civilian personnel have remained to provide key functions under very challenging circumstances.”

“We remain committed to completing evacuations including of our Afghan colleagues, as soon as possible,” Stoltenberg said. “The Taliban must respect and facilitate the safe departure of all those who wish to leave.”

“All Afghan men, women and children deserve to live in safety and dignity,” Stoltenberg said. “There must be a peaceful transfer of power to an inclusive government. With no revenge or retribution.”

Internally displaced Afghan families, who fled from Kunduz and Takhar province due to battles between Taliban and Afghan security forces, collect food in Kabul on August 9, 2021. (Wakil Kohsar/AFP via Getty Images)

In a timeline on the NATO website the organization expressed support and cooperation for Biden’s withdrawal plan:

In April 2021, after several rounds of consultations, Allied foreign and defense ministers decided to start the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan on 1 May 2021 and complete it within a few months. They also decided to continue supporting Afghanistan in other ways. This was confirmed by NATO Heads of State and Government at the NATO Brussels Summit on 14 June 2021.

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