The German government daily newspaper Bild quoted the German government that the German army will start on Monday preparations to withdraw its citizens, embassy staff and local workers from Afghanistan without waiting for an authorization from the (Federal) Parliament.
The German newspaper reported that A400M military transport planes will leave on Monday for the Afghan capital, Kabul.
Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said isolating embassy staff, their families and local staff is an “absolute priority”.
And Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer announced Saturday that the military would take part in the operation, although she did not specify the plans.
In Germany, any military participation in such a task would require authorization from the Bundestag. Given the impending current situation, the parliamentary vote will take place at a later time, according to Bild.
Minister Heiko Maas himself announced on Friday that the number of German embassy staff in Kabul would be reduced to an “absolute minimum”.
The day before, all German nationals were urged to leave the country as quickly as possible, using regular flights, while scheduled expulsions of Afghan immigrants were suspended on Thursday.
Last June, Germany completed the withdrawal of its forces from Afghanistan, which constituted the second largest international force in the country after the United States.
In its last phase, about 1,100 German soldiers were mainly stationed in Mazar-i-Sharif, in the north of the country, which was taken over by the Taliban yesterday.
“Writer. Analyst. Avid travel maven. Devoted twitter guru. Unapologetic pop culture expert. General zombie enthusiast.”
