The prime ministers (PMs) of Australia and New Zealand, Scott Morrison and Jacinda Ardern, have condemned the bombing outside the Kabul airport and expressed concern over future evacuations amid terror threats and the volatile situation in Afghanistan.
At least 73 people, including American troops, were killed in the suicide bombing on Thursday. The massive explosion that rocked the Afghan capital was followed by a minor blast and several gunmen attacking crowds.
On Friday, Australian PM Morrison called the attacks “evil, calculated and inhuman” and said the blasts were not unexpected. Earlier, Australia had warned its citizens and visa holders stuck in Afghanistan of a terror threat and asked them to stay away from the Kabul airport.
Morrison said, “The situation in Afghanistan is very serious. We have been there for 20 years seeking to turn from a failed state into a successful state and, sadly, that hasn’t proved possible.” He added, “We will continue to take every step necessary to protect Australians, to keep Australians safe and to ensure stability–especially in our region.”
Moreover, Australia’s Defence Minister Peter Dutton confirmed that Australian Defence Forces would not be returning to Kabul to evacuate its citizens and Afghan workers, citing severe security risks. Dutton said, “If we were to continue in that situation, we would have had casualties now as well.” “The reality of what’s on the ground at the moment hasn’t made it possible for us to lift more people out. We can’t continue to put our ADF personnel and their lives at risk,” he added.
Dutton stressed that more terror attacks in Kabul were likely and warned the remaining citizens to avoid public places. Regarding people who are stuck in Afghanistan, Dutton said, “There’s advice that some people are getting to go to other borders, but there’s great uncertainty there at the moment. We know that some Australians have travelled there in recent months.”
Meanwhile, New Zealand’s PM, Jacinda Ardern, said, “We strongly condemn this despicable attack on many innocent families and individuals who were vulnerable in simply seeking safety. I can confirm that no New Zealand Defence Force personnel were in Kabul at the time of the explosions.” She added, “For days, there have been warnings that the situation in Afghanistan was deteriorating and there was a serious threat of a terror attack and that the window for evacuation operation was closing. Given the situation on the ground, that window has now closed.”
Ardern also noted that no New Zealand citizens are left at the Kabul airport. Those seeking to take an evacuation flight were advised to stay away from the airport, citing a security threat.
It is unclear how many New Zealanders remain in Afghanistan. It has been reported that around 520 people have registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and over 300 may have been evacuated. “We are just unfortunately not clear on the numbers...some consolidation will be required, but I can say, we know with absolute certainty we did not get everyone out,” Ardern said.
Additionally, the PM mentioned her conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel regarding future evacuations but noted that the Cabinet had yet to discuss options. She said, “There remain a number of international partners and others who will be continuing to seek to find ways to bring out those that they were unable to evacuate. New Zealand is not alone in this.”
“The future evacuation will look different to what it has to date, and it will be difficult, and it may take longer, but we are not giving up or bringing those who need to come home,” Ardern added.
Earlier this week, the Taliban said it would no longer allow Afghans to flee the country in evacuation flights. Since the group seized control of Afghanistan on August 15, thousands of Afghan civilians have tried to escape, fearing a repressive rule.