Kabul Airport: U.S struggles to speed up evacuations amid Taliban chaos

• The U.S. has been struggling to speed up the pace of evacuations from Kabul amid hurdles. The U.S. State Dept said it has deployed additional consular officers to help with the Afghanistan evacuation. The Dept added that 6,000 people at Kabul airport have already been processed for evacuation. “12 C-17s departed within 24 hrs with over 2,000 passengers who arrived safe-havens. Since August 14, we have airlifted a total of 7,000 evacuees. 6,000 people at Kabul airport have been fully processed, and will soon board planes,” US State dept spokesperson Ned Price said. “We are aware of congestion around the airport, working closely with the Dept of Defense. We will facilitate safe, orderly access for consular processing on the airport compound. US citizens, legal permanent residents will be given the first opportunity to board,” he added. Evacuation process continued even as armed Taliban fighters & their checkpoints ringed the airport. Taliban took Afghanistan under control on August 15 & is poised to form the next government.