NEW: Buses carrying hundreds of potential evacuees, including orphans, were turned away by the U.S. military at Kabul airport early Thursday, officials familiar with situation tell @GregJaffe and me.
At least some of the buses had made it inside.
washingtonpost.com/world/2021/08/…
At least some of the buses had made it inside.
washingtonpost.com/world/2021/08/…
Rep. @michaelgwaltz said in an interview on Thursday that he was among the lawmakers who tried to assist the privately organized group, which he said included Christians fleeing the Taliban.
They had coordinated with some U.S. personnel inside the airport, officials said.
They had coordinated with some U.S. personnel inside the airport, officials said.
“They were literally celebrating getting inside” when they were ejected, @michaelgwaltz said.
Other sources, including two Democrats on Capitol Hill, corroborate the story.
Other sources, including two Democrats on Capitol Hill, corroborate the story.
A senior Democratic aide said the potential evacuees had met in at least one other location and spent hours meandering through Taliban checkpoints overnight in buses. They arrived at the airport around dawn, with some buses allowed in, and then were “kicked out of the airport.”
It's unclear what exactly happened or why. The Islamic State attacked hours later, but threats were known to be high.
Central Command had no comment on the situation.
Central Command had no comment on the situation.
A senior U.S. official praised the efforts but warned that they had created chaos and risk as buses waited outside the gate for up to 24 hours. The number of buses outside the airport on Thursday morning was as high as 20, and the number of people up to 760, that official said.
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