State Department warning confirms US government 'cannot ensure safe passage' for trapped residents trying to flee to Kabul airport
- The US Embassy in Afghanistan said the US can't "ensure safe passage" to Kabul's airport.
- The airport was thrown into chaos by fleeing Afghans after the Taliban took control of Afghanistan.
- The security alert said the US will prioritize evacuating Americans and legal permanent residents.
The US "cannot ensure safe passage" for trapped residents trying to flee to Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, said a State Department security alert released on Wednesday.
Thousands have attempted to escape Afghanistan through the international airport in Kabul since the Taliban seized power on Sunday, delaying many planes from leaving because of runway blockages. Afghans appeared to cling to the sides of departing planes in an attempt to flee the Taliban.
The security alert said the embassy is prioritizing US citizens and legal permanent residents who have corresponding documentation. It added that the embassy would assist Americans and LPRs without documents to the best of its ability.
The security alert didn't mention what steps US officials were taking to help military translators, helpers, and local Afghans attempting to flee the country. US Rep. Andy Kim shared an email on Wednesday that said any passports stored at the US Embassy were destroyed while the embassy was evacuated. The passports likely belonged to Afghans attempting to get approved for visas.
"Visa and passport appointments at the Embassy have been canceled, and passports that were in the Embassy's possession have been destroyed. Currently, it is not possible to provide any further visa services in Afghanistan," Kim wrote.
The White House said on Tuesday that the Taliban agreed to let civilians leave Afghanistan without incident or else would be met with "overwhelming force." But there are reports from journalists in Kabul of gunfire, whippings, and attacks with sharp objects by Taliban members toward crowds outside Kabul's airport.