Afghanistan - 20 years on

[cu3ed]

It’s not about the space though? It’s about the ground operations!

I would say its more about time and logistics.

 

[Johno please?]

So, we spent 20 years and trillions of dollars “dismantling terror” in Afghan, now we’re telling people to avoid the airport because of an imminent terror attack in hours.

Bravo!

What a stupid comment. Does Islam still exist?

Well then terrorism hasnt gone anywhere im afraid.

 

[Johno please?]

Another liberal wanting to continue the forever war, dunno how to break it to you but the whole world does not share your values or views on life don't try and impose them, you should have known this by now.

All your stupid intervention would do is kill innocents again and fuel a war in a nation that needs peace.

Disgusting hypocrisy from you.

They won't get peace with the Taliban in control, are you really this dense?

The northern alliance have been our allies for the last 20yrs, I dont see why anything should change.

 

[Jean-F]

It's been a complete disaster.

Billions spent developing Afghanistan's forces and they effectively just hand it over to the Taliban.

Honestly, it's so bad they should send troops back in temporarily to push back the Taliban and do as much damage to them as they possibility can while they're out in the open, give themselves adequate time to process people that need to be evacuated and then destroy / recover all the weapons and equipment they left behind, and then pull out the military.

It's obvious the majority of the Afgan military never intended to fight.

I thought, ‘Where have I heard that last line before?’
Then I remembered the scene in “Full Metal Jacket”, where “Cowboy”, negotiating with the Vietnamese pimp says, “Want some ARVN rifles? never been fired, and only dropped once.”

 

[i know nothing]

People are literally brain dead though, the presenters on GMB, and idiots in the general public getting behind it. The thing is, he can probably get out with little problem after the 31st given he has contacts in the Taliban and money, it's not like they're executing people who are looking after dogs from the 1st of September and blowing up the airport, but there is a risk to translators and people who worked with ISAF.

BBC are reporting the charter flight he organised has been cancelled. Military flights only from now on I understand.

 

[Vulcan]

BBC are reporting the charter flight he organised has been cancelled. Military flights only from now on I understand.

It's been military flights only for about a week now. ATC is controlled by the US military.

What I am curious about, is how these animals were supposed to get to the airport?

 

[b0rn2sk8]

It's been military flights only for about a week now. ATC is controlled by the US military.

What I am curious about, is how these animals were supposed to get to the airport?

They are outside the airport with all the animals in crates according to my local bbc news. His from my area apparently so they are covering it at every opportunity.

 

[StephenJ]

A number of countries are stopping flights now or Friday , also a Italian evac flight was shot at so the BBC are reporting

 

[Roar87]

They are outside the airport with all the animals in crates according to my local bbc news. His from my area apparently so they are covering it at every opportunity.

This guy and the media seem to have turned the operation into his personal crusade to save the animals, it's just click bait, Boris Johnson has to go along with it because things like this are literally all the voters remember, can we get some actual adults in the room please.

 

[StephenJ]

BBC has reported a explosion outside the airport

 

[Merlin5]

BBC has reported a explosion outside the airport

Yep, just listening to this as breaking news on the radio. Casualties unknown yet. Could be Taliban or ISIS. There were warnings today of imminent ISIS attacks.

 

[chrismscotland]

Reports of an explosion outside the airport now

 

[Lysander]

Reports of an explosion outside the airport now

According to The Guardian it's one of the airport entry gates.

 

[CaptainRAVE]

BBC has reported a explosion outside the airport

Time to get our troops out and to leave them to it. Thank goodness for the deadline it we’d be there forever.

 

[Lysander]

Sky News saying it was a suicide bomb attack.

 

[CaptainRAVE]

Sky News saying it was a suicide bomb attack.

What a waste of life, but this is why we should already have left.

 

[Robbo]

Seemed like it was just a matter of time. That could be the end of all evacuation efforts.

 

[Merlin5]

Gunfire apparently near a hotel outside the airport.

 

[dowie]

BBC has reported a explosion outside the airport

Yup, there was also an earlier report of shots being fired at an Italian plane. The risk is there unfortunately given the chaotic nature of this withdrawal and the deadline.

There were also comments about how we're going to see footage of people who've been left behind - not a good look given that some of these people already risked their lives to work for coalition forces. They're still at risk of reprisals especially if left behind with their papers right outside the airport and having to go back through Taliban checkpoints.

Other risk is to any Westerners, particularly British, American etc.. still in the country after August 31st, especially those who aren't dual nationals and/or were simply unable to make it in time to get out - they'll be prime targets for ISIS.

 

[gettothechopper]

MoD saying no British casualties reported so far