Afghanistan: India evacuates Kandahar consulate staff
July 11, 2021
India evacuated 50 diplomats and other staff from its Kandahar consulate over security concerns. The Taliban said they have captured 85% of the country as US forces continue their withdrawal.
The forces deployed by the Kabul government have been struggling to contain the Taliban offensiveImage: Rahmat Gul/AP/picture alliance
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India evacuated about 50 diplomats and other staff members from its consulate in the Afghan city of Kandahar on Sunday as Taliban forces continue to gain control.
The staff members traveled back to Delhi on Saturday night in an Indian Air Force flight.
"India is closely monitoring the evolving security situation in Afghanistan. The safety and security of our personnel is paramount," said a spokesperson for India's Ministry of External Affairs on Twitter. The ministry said this was a temporary measure, and that the consulate would continue to function through local staff members.
The Sunni Muslim insurgent group claimed to have gained control of over 85% of Afghanistan as troops from the US and other foreign forces are finalizing their withdrawal from the war-torn nation after 20 years.
The US pullout from the country is 90% complete. President Joe Biden said the US mission would fully withdraw by August 31. US allies have also been leaving the country, with Australia on Sunday becoming the latest nation to confirm that all of its troops had returned from Afghanistan.
While peace talks have been taking place, tensions between the Afghan government and the Taliban continue to raise questions over the stability in the region.
Indian media reported that the embassy in Afghanistan had asked Indians to exercise caution and avoid non-essential travel to Afghanistan. An advisory issued by the embassy had described the situation in Afghanistan as "dangerous."
Russia had closed its consulate in the city of Mazar-i-Sharif last week. China evacuated more than 200 of its nationals from Afghanistan earlier this month. In June, Australia shut down its embassy in Kabul, saying it would be reopened "when circumstances permit."
As US troops leave, Afghanistan buried under American trash
The Bagram Air Base was the headquarters of US forces in Afghanistan for nearly 20 years. The base has been emptying out since the spring, leaving tons of garbage behind.
Image: Adek Berry/Getty Images/AFP
Scrap as far as the eye can see
Historians may debate the political legacy of the US mission in Afghanistan. But the physical legacy is clear in the massive amounts of scrap metal and trash left behind. The US military's exit from Bagram Air Base is part of Washington's plans to completely withdraw troops from Afghanistan before the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Image: Adek Berry/Getty Images/AFP
Where to put all the garbage?
US soldiers will either take their equipment with them or give it to local security forces. But troops will leave plenty behind — such as junk, packaging and electronic waste. More than a 100,000 US troops have served at Bagram since 2001. The base, 70 kilometers north (40 miles) of Kabul, has grown into a small American town, complete with a shopping center and fast-food restaurants.
Image: Adek Berry/Getty Images/AFP
One man's garbage, another man's treasure
The junkyard just outside the base has become popular with fortune hunters. They come in large numbers to sift through the trash, on the lookout for something useful — like this pair of military boots. Their hope is to sell what they find for money.
Image: Adek Berry/Getty Images/AFP
Searching for electronic treasure
Large amounts of electronic waste are also buried in the dump. People are on the lookout for circuit boards that contain parts and screws that can be reused. Some even contain valuable materials like copper and even tiny amounts of gold. For Americans, it's all garbage. But for Afghans who earn just €500 ($695) a year, it's something of a treasure.
Image: Adek Berry/Getty Images/AFP
What will become of Bagram?
Bagram, at the foot of the Hindu Kush mountains, has a long history as an army base. The Soviet army used the base during its invasion in 1979. Many now fear that when the Americans leave, Bagram will fall into the hands of the Taliban — a strategic victory for the Islamists.
Image: imago images
A risky withdrawal
Troops have been officially withdrawing since May 1 and there's no time to get rid of the garbage as well. Heavy weapons and additional forces were kept on standby for possible Taliban attacks during the withdrawal. In the final weeks leading up to the withdrawal, a total of 36 NATO and partner countries were still involved in the mission, including 2,500 American soldiers and 1,100 from Germany.
Image: Adek Berry/Getty Images/AFP
Women at work
Here, a girl salvages a battered metal crate from the scrapyard. Despite the hardships, girls and women have profited the most from the US-led military mission and the fall of the Taliban in 2001. They have been able to attend school and, as adults, work in areas previously inaccessible to them, including high court offices and other institutions.
Image: Adek Berry/Getty Images/AFP
People left behind
Some people find things of pure sentimental value in the junkyard, to remind them of the base. Numerous settlements of local Afghan forces have sprung up around Bagram, and their existence has depended on the base. Many now wonder what will become of them and their families.
Image: Adek Berry/Getty Images/AFP
What remains?
So what's left of the US presence in the Hindu Kush, aside from worn-out boots and rusty wire? US President Joe Biden promised a "sustained" partnership during a June 25 White House meeting with his Afghan counterpart, Ashraf Ghani. Millions of Afghan will be taking Biden at his word.
