The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has urged British nationals to stay away from Kabul airport, in an update to its travel advice.
In an update to its advice on Wednesday night, the FCDO said the security situation in Afghanistan “remains volatile”. The Government department has urged Britons in the area of the airport to “move away to a safe location and await further advice”.
Reports in recent days have suggested that people may have been mistreated and harmed while trying to reach the airport. The Taliban, which is now holding power in Afghanistan, has told people not to try and leave the country by the airport.
The FCDO had already been advised against all travel to Afghanistan, warning of a high threat of a terrorist attack. Commercial flights are not currently operating out of Kabul Hamid Karzai International Airport.
The UK and US are continuing to evacuate their citizens and those that have supported efforts in the country over the last 20 years – though these evacuations look set to end in the coming days. The US looks set to pull out its remaining troops that are on the ground in the country by 31 August (next Tuesday), despite being urged by allies to extend that withdrawal date.
The UK Government’s latest advice on Afghanistan can be found at gov.uk.
