The UAE has become a major part of continued evacuations from the Kabul airport, with flights carrying American, British and French citizens arriving in the country in recent days.
The UAE has opened up its airports to flights evacuating people from Afghanistan and has agreed to host 5,000 Afghan nationals evacuated from Afghanistan on their way to third countries.
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 8,500 foreign nationals utilizing its aircraft and airports from Afghanistan.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken tweeted to thank the UAE for its support.
Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison called on Thursday Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, to express his gratitude for acting as a transit country.
The UK also voiced its appreciation on Wednesday for the UAE's role in the evacuation process.
France's Minister of the Armed Forces Florence Parly on Tuesday thanked the UAE for their expanding role in the process during a phone call with Mohammed Al Bawardi, UAE Minister of State for Defence Affairs.
The initiative is evidence of the UAE’s commitment to strengthening international cooperation, the Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for International Development Affairs Sultan Mohammed Al-Shamsi 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,” Al-Shamsi said.
Six days after the Taliban took power in Afghanistan, roads to Kabul's international airport remain clogged with traffic and people trying to clear Taliban-manned checkpoints amid reports that the militants were turning some Afghans away.
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