Afghanistan: US rescue flights grounded amidst chaos at Kabul Airport

At least five people are reported killed at Kabul airport as Afghans flee following the Taliban’s takeover of the country.

The Pentagon says all flights have now been halted after several incidents.

The US is also sending another 1,000 troops to help with the evacuation.

More than 60 countries have issued a joint statement calling on the Taliban to allow people to leave.

The Taliban swept into Kabul unopposed on Sunday, and President Ashraf Ghani fled the country.

Meanwhile, the UK defence secretary has admitted “some people won’t get back” from Afghanistan as a desperate struggle to get UK nationals and local allies out of the country continued.

Ben Wallace had previously said he was “confident” all British nationals would get out but became emotional while appearing on LBC radio this morning.

He said: “It’s a really deep part of regret for me … look, some people won’t get back. Some people won’t get back and we will have to do our best in third countries to process those people.”

Asked why he felt the situation “so personally”, Mr Wallace replied: “Because I’m a soldier… because it’s sad and the West has done what it’s done, we have to do our very best to get people out and stand by our obligations and 20 years of sacrifice is what it is.”

Source: BBC