'Afgan Talchul Haengryeol' Kabul Gonghang, Operating Resumed After Several Hours

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] The operation of Kabul International Airport, the capital that experienced chaos as a large number of citizens tried to escape Afghanistan, resumed on the night of the 16th (local time).

Hank Taylor, logistics officer of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the media that the operation of Kabul Hamid Karzai International Airport resumed around 11 p.m. local time on that day.

Taylor added that the U.S. is also in charge of air traffic control at the airport.

Earlier, Hamid Karzai International Airport suspended operations for several hours that day as Afghans trying to flee crowded the runway.

The U.S. military even fired warning shots to drive Afghans off the runway.

There were also incidents where people clung to departing airplanes and fell to their deaths.

According to the Associated Press, at least seven people died at Kabul airport that day.

Taylor said a C-17 transport plane carrying Marine Corps troops to secure airport safety had already landed at the airport, and a transport plane carrying Army troops was also scheduled to land soon.

Currently, about 2,500 U.S. troops are deployed in Kabul, and Taylor explained that the number could increase to 3,500 by the end of the day U.S. time.

He said, "We are focusing on maintaining airport security so that aircraft can continue to operate while protecting Americans and Afghan civilians."

On the same day, Ned Price, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, stated that more than 1,600 people, including Afghans, have so far left Afghanistan via U.S. military aircraft.

He added that as long as the safety of those remaining at the airport is maintained, efforts will continue to evacuate as many people as possible from Afghanistan.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.