Kabul | The Taliban’s promises of a safe passage to Kabul airport for Afghans trying to flee the country have been undermined by reports of women and children being beaten up and flogged. The incident took place when they were trying to pass through the posts set up by the terror group. The Guardian has claimed this in one of its reports.
The US says the Taliban is committed to providing safe passage for those wishing to reach the airport. But reports from the Afghan capital said there have been incidents of violence at checkpoints set up on Airport Road, with images showing head injuries of a woman and a child who were allegedly taken to cross a checkpoint. He was beaten and flogged for trying.
Sources in Kabul told The Guardian that the Taliban were scrutinizing documents and some people were being forced back from checkpoints after being denied access to the airport.
The US National Security Adviser, Jake Sullivan, said that a large number of people are now able to access the airspace under US military control. “There are instances where we have received reports of people being pushed back and even beaten up,” he said. We are taking this up in a channel with the Taliban to try to resolve the issues and we are concerned whether this will continue in the days to come.
Sullivan said keeping routes open to the airport is an hour-by-hour issue. This is something we are very clear about and are very focused on holding the Taliban accountable for executing their commitment.
The White House press secretary, Jen Psaki, said that if the Taliban fails to provide a safe passage to the airport for civilians, it will face consequences and the issue will be handled by the United States military. Saki said that we have made it clear. But we are not trusting them right now.
