France calls on all its nationals to leave Afghanistan

Published on : 07/13/2021 – 17:31

France calls on all its nationals to leave Afghanistan “because of the development of the security situation in the country and given the short-term prospects”, announced Tuesday, July 13, the French embassy in Kabul in a statement.

“The (French) government will set up a special flight on the morning of July 17, from Kabul, in order to allow the return to France of the entire French community,” said the embassy, ​​recommending “formally to all French people to take this special flight “. “No additional special flights can be chartered,” she warned.

>> To read: Afghanistan: the head of the American troops withdraws, the Taliban continue their advance

The embassy informs the French who plan “to stay in Afghanistan after July 17, that it will no longer be able to ensure the safety of (their) departure”.

She specifies that “the embassy team is at work”, implying that the diplomatic representation remains open for the time being. “We are continuing our task by maintaining, today more than ever, our support for the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan”, continues the French Embassy.

Large portions of Afghan territory under Taliban control

Foreign troops, present for 20 years in Afghanistan as part of a coalition led by the United States under the aegis of NATO, began their final withdrawal from the country in early May, scheduled to be completed by now. at the end of August.

As a result of this withdrawal, the Taliban have been waging an all-out offensive against Afghan forces for the past two months, in which they have seized large portions of rural Afghan territory.

>> To see: American withdrawal from Afghanistan: the Taliban in force?

Deprived of crucial American air support, the Afghan forces have so far offered little resistance and essentially control only the main axes and the provincial capitals, some of which are surrounded.

The insurgents recently took control of several districts in provinces neighboring Kabul, raising fears that they will soon attack the capital and its airport, the only way out of the city for foreign nationals.

With AFP