As of 20 August 2021, the capital Kabul is under a Taliban-imposed 2100 local time (1630 UTC) nightly curfew until further notice, and the situation at Hamid Karzai International Airport (OAKB/KBL) in Kabul remains chaotic. Crowds are usually relatively small during the early morning hours, but thousands typically arrive by mid-day. The U.S. military controls the military side of the airport, while the Taliban have occupied the commercial side. U.S. military figures report no fighting with the Taliban occupying the commercial section of the airport. However, in at least one instance, Taliban fighters began firing into the air and beating individuals who gathered on the commercial side of the airport to force the crowds to withdraw.
U.S. and NATO forces have evacuated at least 18,000 people from Afghanistan since 15 August, with U.S. forces having evacuated at least 9,000 people since 14 August. Evacuees included U.S. citizens, Special Immigrant Visa applicants and their families and “vulnerable Afghans.”
The U.S. Embassy in Kabul issued an alert on 19 August urging U.S. citizens and permanent residents and their families to travel to Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul when they deem it safe to do so. The alert reiterated that the U.S. government could not ensure safe passage to the airport. The full text of the alert is available here. In related developments, Air India flights for Afghan nationals will begin on 21 August. The flights follow the Indian government’s decision to process e-visas for Afghan nationals in emergency situations. Applications are available here.
Despite the Taliban’s announcement of a general amnesty for government workers, a Norwegian intelligence report stated that the Taliban have begun targeting Afghans they suspect of having worked in the previous Afghan government or of having provided support to U.S. forces. According to the report, if the Taliban are unable to find these individuals, they instead arrest their families and punish them according to the Taliban’s version of Islamic law. Likewise, reports indicate that the Taliban are hunting journalists and applying the same measures to them and their families, and have assaulted journalists covering events. Reports indicate that the militants attacked at least two journalists covering events in Jalalabad, where the Taliban opened fire on Afghan nationalist protesters.
Fighting may be occurring in the Panjshir Valley region, but it is unknown if it is the result of clashes between the Taliban and the rebel factions gathering there under the banner of the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan. Hospitals in the Panjshir Valley have reported an influx of war injuries.
