The UAE, a hub for evacuations from Afghanistan

The United Arab Emirates has agreed to host 5000 Afghan nationals evacuated from Afghanistan on their way to third countries, on a temporary basis after which time they would travel on to other nations.

The UAE has also become a hub for evacuations from Afghanistan, with several countries using the capital Abu Dhabi as a stepping stone to transfer their nationals back home.

The humanitarian gesture follows the UAE’s recent facilitation of dozens of flights carrying hundreds of foreign citizens from Afghanistan, including diplomats and support staff from a range of nationalities and non-governmental organizations to UAE airports. 

The UAE has also facilitated the evacuation of approximately 8500 foreign nationals utilizing its aircraft and airports from Afghanistan,” the statement added.

Sultan Mohammed Al Shamsi, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for International Development Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said the UAE is always seeking peaceful, multilateral solutions, and is keen to continue its work alongside its international partners to advance efforts to assist the Afghan people during this time of uncertainty.

Back in Kabul, thousands of Afghans crowded between Taliban checkpoints and a ring of steel around the city's main airport, desperate to board any flight out following the return of the Taliban.

Distressing images have emerged of people desperately trying to get on any departing flight, even resorting to clinging to the fuselage of a US military aircraft as it rolled down the runway for take-off.