The United States is boosting its military presence at Kabul airport on Tuesday to speed up evacuations, after opening a channel of communication between the US military securing the runway and the Taliban insurgents who control the Afghan capital.
The official in the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Hank Taylor, told the press that 1,000 US soldiers had arrived at Kabul airport at night, and about 800 people had been evacuated since Monday evening, including 165 Americans.
General Taylor added that if "we (worked) to our full potential, we would expect five to nine thousand (people) a day to leave."
He pointed out that the operations were not hindered by the Taliban. "We have not faced any hostile interaction, any aggression or threat from the Taliban," he said.
He also revealed that Afghan soldiers who did not surrender to the Taliban arrived at Kabul airport and are participating in the evacuations.
"There are 500 to 600 Afghan forces helping us in ensuring security," he said.
And Pentagon spokesman John Kirby announced that a direct communication channel was opened between the US military and the Taliban after a meeting Sunday in Doha that brought together General Kenneth McKenzie, the commander of the US Central Command and Taliban leaders.
"Our leaders at the airport are in contact with Taliban leaders on the ground outside the airport," he said, refusing to give details about the contents of the talks.
Thousands of Afghans who worked for Western powers and wanted to leave the country for fear of reprisals from the Taliban, are still stuck outside the airport in rebel-held areas.
The German government accused the insurgents of obstructing the arrival of Afghan citizens to Kabul airport in preparation for their evacuation.
