US evacuates around 48,000 people from Afghanistan

ANKARA – The US has evacuated or helped evacuate around 48,000 people from Afghanistan since Aug. 14, the White House said Monday in a written statement.

Over 10,900 people were evacuated from the capital Kabul over a 12-hour period Monday, the statement said.

“This is the result of 15 U.S. military flights (all C-17s) which carried approximately 6,660 evacuees and 34 coalition flights which carried 4,300 people,” it added.

The statement also noted that since the end of July, the US has relocated nearly 53,000 people.

The Taliban’s lightning takeover of the capital on Aug. 15 set off a scramble to leave Afghanistan, including among locals who have worked with US forces and organizations and fear for their lives under Taliban rule.

Wristband with barcodes

US forces in the airport in the Afghan capital Kabul are using wristbands with computer barcodes to control evacuations, according to reports from the scene.

After the Taliban took control of Kabul, evacuation efforts continue at Hamid Karzai International Airport.

In the run-up to Aug. 31, which the US had set as a deadline for evacuation from Kabul, efforts gained momentum at the airport, as security forces working there continue evacuation work day and night.

People who wear a wristband with a barcode issued by US soldiers are recorded in the system before boarding planes out of the country.

The unexpected power grab triggered a rush to flee Afghanistan, including civilians who assisted foreign soldiers or groups and now fear Taliban retribution.