MILNEWS.ca #AFG Update as of 281630UTC Aug 2021

• Operation AEGIS Information Page (CAF) – Canada’s Response to the Situation in Afghanistan (IRCC)
• Opinion:  “GUNTER: Afghan interpreter narrowly escapes Kabul thanks to retired Canadian sergeant’s efforts” (Edmonton Sun)
• “After daring escape, Afghan interpreter desperate to bring rest of family to Canada” (CTV)
• ” “Maybe they will hang me”: Fearing death, stranded former employees of Canada desperate for another way out of Afghanistan” (National Post)
• “Afghanistan crisis: Trudeau says Canada working on ways to rescue Afghans” (Global)
• “Why Canada failed to rescue ‘a hell of a lot more’ Afghans, according to former generals” (CBC)
• Opinion:  “Cornies: Canada’s aims in Afghanistan shouldn’t be confused with America’s” (Postmedia via London Free Press)
• “NP View: Canada’s national humiliation in Afghanistan” (National Post)
• “U.K. starts to bring troops home as Kabul airlift winds down” (Associated Press via CTV)
• “Britain’s final civilian flights will soon leave Afghanistan” (Reuters via CBC)
• “France, UK end civilian evacuations from Afghanistan” (france24.com)
• “Afghan evacuations enter end game amid threats of more attacks” (Al Jazeera English)
• “Intense negotiations continue over future of Kabul airport after US forces leave” (france24.com)
• “Factbox: Evacuations from Afghanistan by country” (Reuters)
• “UAE helps 28,000 flee Afghanistan since fall of Kabul” (english.alaraby.co.uk)
• “UNHCR: 500,000 Afghans May Leave in Next 4 Months” (TOLO News, independent AFG media)
• “Taliban moves to seal off Kabul airport as US deadline approaches” (Associated Press via Irish Examiner)
• “U.S. airstrike targets Islamic State member in Afghanistan” (Associated Press via cp24.com)
• “U.S. strikes Islamic State in Afghanistan after deadly Kabul attack” (Reuters)
• “Afghanistan: US says drone strike killed IS-K planner” (BBC)
• “Afghanistan drone strike targeted Islamic State ‘planner’ in car, US says” (Guardian, U.K.)
• “U.S. warns of more attacks after retaliating for Kabul airport blast” (Reuters)
• “What is ISIS-K? Two terrorism experts on the group behind the deadly Kabul airport attack and its rivalry with the Taliban” (Hull Daily Mail, U.K.)
• “Massoud Supporters Reject Taliban Claim of Entering Panjshir” (TOLO News, independent AFG media)
• “Afghanistan: Heavy clashes reported between Taliban, Resistance forces in Kapisa province” (Asia News International, IND-based media)
• “Is the Taliban up to the security challenges in Afghanistan?” (Al Jazeera English)
• “Pakistan will play constructive role in Afghanistan, says (PAK foreign minister) Qureshi amid accusations of Islamabad aiding Taliban” (Asia News International, IND-based media)
• “Growth of Afghan opium trade may undermine Taliban pledge to kick the habit” (Washington Post via Stars & Stripes)

---

MILNEWS.ca #AFG Update as of 272250UTC Aug 2021

• Operation AEGIS Information Page (CAF) – Canada’s Response to the Situation in Afghanistan (IRCC)
• “More Cdns out of Kabul – Garneau says Americans got 500 more Canadians out of Kabul on Thursday flight” (The Canadian Press via castanet.net)
• “‘Don’t lose hope’: Canada secures 500 seats on U.S. flight from Kabul, waives visa fees” (Global)
• “Canada urges those left in Afghanistan to stay put and not lose hope” (CBC)
• “Canada can help remaining Afghanistan evacuees if they find their own way to third countries, Foreign Affairs Minister Marc Garneau says” (Globe & Mail)
• ” ‘It isn’t good enough’: Advocate calls for investigation into Canada’s evacuation efforts in Afghanistan” (Postmedia via The Province)
• “For Afghanistan evacuees, new challenges await in Canada” (CTV)
• “Pandemic delays leave refugee applicants in Canada in legal limbo” (Radio Canada International)
• “‘We left part of our soul there’: Soldiers turned political opponents agree on some things about Canada’s war in Afghanistan” (Toronto Star)
• “A soldier’s hard look back at Canada’s Afghan mission” (Policy Options)
• “General Says Despite Attack, ‘Noble Mission’ of Evacuation Will Continue” (U.S. DoD)
• “Pentagon opens additional US bases to house Afghan refugees” (Washington Examiner)
• “Could the U.S. Evacuation List Become a Taliban Kill List if All Allies Don’t Leave?” (Newsweek)
• “With the Taliban growing more violent and adding checkpoints near Kabul’s airport, an all-volunteer group of American veterans of the Afghan war launched a final daring mission on Wednesday night dubbed the “Pineapple Express” to shepherd hundreds of at-risk Afghan elite forces and their families to safety, members of the group told ABC News …” (ABC News, U.S.)
• “NATO allies struggle to keep Kabul airport open for aid after withdrawal” (Reuters)
• “Pentagon says Kabul airport attack carried out by one suicide bomber” (france24.com)
• “U.S. on alert for further Kabul attacks, calls coming days the most dangerous” (Reuters)
• Opinion:  “The threat of ISKP in Afghanistan has been underestimated” (Al Jazeera)
• “Taliban success in Afghanistan seen as boost for extremists” (Associated Press)
• “Anti-Taliban resistance building up despite chaos in Kabul” (arabnews.com)

---

MILNEWS.ca #AFG Update as of 271245UTC Aug 2021

• Operation AEGIS Information Page (CAF) – Canada’s Response to the Situation in Afghanistan (IRCC)
• “New urgency to airlift after Kabul blasts kill more than 100” (Associated Press via CTV)
• “‘Afghanistan is savable’: Ousted Afghan vice-president asks Canadians, the West for help to resist Taliban” (Toronto Star syndicate via St. Catherine’s Standard)
• “Afghan-Canadian media publisher frustrated by red tape trying to bring staff, family to safety” (CBC via Yahoo News)
• “Last holdouts against Taliban look to Canada — and Quebec — as model for a new Afghanistan” (National Post)
• Opinion:  “GUNTER: Justin Trudeau’s broken promise to our Afghanistan allies humiliates Canada” (canoe.ca/Toronto Sun chain)
• Opinion:  “Our economic recovery depends on getting more evacuees out of Afghanistan” (Toronto Star)
• “New urgency to airlift after Kabul blasts kill more than 100” (Associated Press via cp24.com)
• “Evacuation flights from Afghanistan resume after deadly Kabul bombings” (france24.com)
• “Evacuations resume in Kabul; U.S. expects more violence after twin bombings” (United Press International)
• “Factbox: Evacuations from Afghanistan by country” (Reuters)
• “U.S. says 105,000 people evacuated from Afghanistan since mid-Aug” (Reuters)
• “Should the US have stayed in Afghanistan longer?” (Al Jazeera)
• “Analysis: Islamic State attack signals West’s least bad option for Afghanistan: the Taliban” (Reuters)
• “Once Enemies, U.S. and Taliban Find Common Ground Against ISIS” (Bloomberg)
• “The Latest: Russia condemns Kabul bombings, says concerned” (Associated Press via abcnews.go.com)
• “Turkey holds first talks with the Taliban in Kabul” (Al Jazeera)
• “Erdogan Says Turkey Has Held Its First Talks With Taliban” (TOLO News, AFG independent media)
• “Defense Ministers of Turkey, US to Discuss Kabul Airport Plan” (TOLO News, AFG independent media)
• “Turkey won’t help at Kabul airport without its own security -officials” (Reuters)
• “Taliban urge Afghan imams to preach about importance of obeying rulers at Friday prayers” (India Today)
• “Taliban vows to protect portraits of Queen Elizabeth II in UK’s Kabul embassy after chaotic exit – reports” (Russia Today, RUS state media)
• “Kremlin ‘Condemns’ Deadly Kabul Attacks” (Agence-France Presse via RUS independent media)
• “China strongly condemns Kabul airport terror attacks” (Global Times, CHN state media, links to archived version of article)
• “Limits Of US Power: ‘Wanted’ Terrorist With $5M Reward On His Head Runs Kabul Security” (International Business Times)

---

MILNEWS.ca #AFG Update as of 270300UTC Aug 2021

• Operation AEGIS Information Page (CAF) – Canada’s Response to the Situation in Afghanistan (IRCC) 
• “Suicide bombers strike Kabul airport after final Canadian military flight leaves country” (CTV)
• ” ‘Shelter in place’: Canada ends Kabul rescue flights, texts those left behind to stay indoors” (Globe & Mail)
• “Canada’s airlift mission from Kabul ends, leaving many behind — Government says it knows citizens, permanent residents and others are stranded …” (CBC)
• “Afghanistan, pandemic cast a shadow over Liberal campaign efforts” (Canadian Press via Toronto Star)
• ” ‘They just can’t get through’: Winnipeg family among Canadians trying to leave Kabul “ (CTV)
• “Statement by the Prime Minister on the deadly attacks in Afghanistan” (Government of Canada)
• “At least 60 Afghans, 13 U.S. troops killed in Kabul airport attack” (Associated Press via cp24.com)
• “Defense Department Halts Evacuation of Afghan Visa Applicants Amid Terror Threat” (The Intercept)
• “Remarks by President Biden on the Terror Attack at Hamid Karzai International Airport” (whitehouse.gov)
• “Biden warns Kabul airport attackers: ‘We will hunt you down’ “ (Reuters)
• “U.S. braces for more ISIS attacks after carnage at Kabul airport” (Reuters)
• “US interventionism leaves Afghanistan in shambles with abuses of human rights” (Global Times, CHN state media – links to archived version of article)
• “UK rescued three families whose contacts were left at Kabul embassy” (Reuters)

---

MILNEWS.ca #AFG Update as of 261930UTC Aug 2021

• Operation AEGIS Information Page (CAF) – Canada’s Response to the Situation in Afghanistan (IRCC)
• “Kabul airport explosion resulted in ‘a number of U.S. civilian casualties,’ says Pentagon” (The Week via Yahoo News)
• “ISIS-K reportedly ‘leading suspect’ in twin Kabul explosions” (The Week)
• “At least 12 U.S. troops killed in Kabul airport attack, officials say” (Reuters)
• “2 suicide attacks outside Kabul airport; U.S. says 11 Marines, 1 Navy medic killed” (Associated Press via cp24.com)
• “Kabul Airport Blasts Cause Scores of Casualties” (TOLOnews, AFG independent media)
• “Statement by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on the Attack at Hamid Karzai International Airport” (U.S. DoD)
• “Statement by Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby on This Morning’s Attack on HKIA” (U.S. DoD)
• “Saudi Arabia strongly condemns deadly terror attack in Kabul” (Saudi Gazette)
• “Kabul attack is likely ‘de facto end’ of evacuation efforts for those other than U.S. military, former Pentagon official says” (The Week)
• “UK To Continue Kabul Evacuations Despite Airport Attack, Boris Johnson Says” (Huffington Post, U.K.)
• “Australian PM thanks UAE for facilitating evacuation of Australian citizens from Afghanistan” (Emirates News Agency)
• “Last military flight leaves Kabul, ending Canada’s mission in Afghanistan” (National Observer)
• “Canada election: Singh slams Trudeau’s response to Afghanistan evacuations calling it a ‘failure’ “ (Global TV via Yahoo News)
• “‘Their blood will be on your hands’: Kabul’s chaos hits Canadian PM’s campaign” (Reuters)
• ” ‘There is much that remains unknown’ about Canadians and allies trapped in Afghanistan” (National Post)
• “Canada announces additional humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and neighbouring countries” (Global Affairs Canada info-machine)
• “U.S. wants aid to Afghanistan to continue despite sanctions on Taliban” (Reuters)
• “How should Canada and other nations now deal with a ruling Taliban regime?” (Peterborough Examiner)
• “With the Taliban Back in Kabul, Regional Powers Watch and Wait” (International Crisis Group)
• “How Taliban’s Feud with ISIS Could Doom Its Push for International Recognition” (Newsweek)
• “Turkey Still Aims to Maintain Kabul Airport Security: Erdogan” (TOLO News, AFG independent media)
• “Massoud, Taliban Agree to Not Fight Until Next Round of Talks” (TOLO News, AFG independent media)

---

MILNEWS.ca #AFG Update as of 261350UTC Aug 2021

• Operation AEGIS Information Page (CAF) – Canada’s Response to the Situation in Afghanistan (IRCC)
• “Canada’s airlift mission from Kabul ends, leaving those in Afghanistan behind” (CBC)
• “Canada has ended Kabul evacuation efforts – senior military official” (Reuters)
• “Canada’s evacuation mission out of Kabul has ended; most troops already out” (The Canadian Press)
• “Taliban asks U.S. to retain embassy in Kabul, guarantees security” (Kyodo News)
• “Moscow repatriates Russians from Afghanistan with assistance of Taliban, US” (TASS, RUS state media)

---

MILNEWS.ca #AFG Update as of 261100UTC Aug 2021

• Operation AEGIS Information Page (CAF) – Canada’s Response to the Situation in Afghanistan (IRCC)
• “FIRST READING: A mounting cascade of Canadian failures in Afghanistan” (National Post)
• “Canadian special forces are trained in managing risks — but so far, it’s Afghans taking all the risks” (Toronto Star)
• “Ottawa bungled the Afghan rescue operation, and Afghans relying on Canada will die because of it” (Globe & Mail)
• “Catastrophe unfolding in Afghanistan poses electoral risk for Liberals” (Globe & Mail)
• “With last Canadian military flight expected to leave Kabul on Thursday, Afghans plead for help” (CTV)
• “‘Very Probable’ That France’s Afghan Evacuation Operations Will End Thursday -Minister” (Reuters via usnews.com)
• “Why did French evacuations go well from the beginning?” (politico.com)
• “France, UK’s Kabul evacuation to end days before August 31 US withdrawal” (politico.eu)
• “French police detain recently arrived Afghan evacuee over links to Taliban” (Radio France International)
• “Evacuated Afghan arrested in France for suspected Taliban links as UK calms down similar report” (euronews.com + various wire services)
• “Afghan under watch in France convicted for trip into town” (The Independent, U.K.)
• “Qatar evacuates more than 40,000 people safely out of Kabul” (Gulf Times)+
• “Leaving Afghanistan: going in style is not an option for NATO without Russia’s help” (Vestnik Kavkaza, pro-RUS media, links to archived version of article)
• “Russia Has Not Recognized Taliban, but Group Has De Facto Control Over Much of Afghanistan – Kremlin” (RIA Novosti, RUS state media)
• “‘Very credible threat of imminent Kabul airport attack’ warn Western nations” (france24.com)
• “Afghanistan: ‘Lethal’ terrorist attack expected to target Kabul airport within hours, minister warns” (telegraph.co.uk)
• “Panic grips Kabul airport amid ‘terror’ threat warning” (Al Jazeera)
• “Why ISIS-K poses a significant security threat in Afghanistan as civilians, troops attempt to flee” (CBC)
• “Who Are Isis-K? The Terror Group Posing A Threat To Afghanistan” (Huffington Post U.K.)
• Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant – Khorasan Province (Wikipedia)
• “Taliban Asked Turkey for Support to Run Kabul Airport – The Taliban also insist that Ankara’s military also withdraw fully by the end-August deadline …” (TOLOnews, AFG media)

---

MILNEWS.ca #AFG Update as of 260200UTC Aug 2021

• Operation AEGIS Information Page (CAF) – Canada’s Response to the Situation in Afghanistan (IRCC)
• Editorial:  “As the evacuation window closes, Trudeau should focus on the Afghan crisis”(Toronto Star)
• Commentary:  “Taliban takeover extends to Trudeau’s campaign” (Global)
• “Last Kabul flight carrying Canadian nationals, Afghan refugees to leave Thursday, five days ahead of U.S. withdrawal deadline” (Globe & Mail)
• “Canada’s evacuation flights from Kabul could end in hours, stranding 1000s of ex-employees, advocates say” (National Post)
• “Canada’s last military flight to leave Kabul Thursday, as Monsef admonishes Taliban” (The Canadian Press via CTV)
• “Maryam Monsef called the Taliban ‘brothers.’ Here’s what you need to know” (Global)
• “Afghan interpreter pleads for help as last Canadian flight out of Kabul expected to depart on Thursday” (CBC)
• “Canadian citizens in Kabul say they are standing knee-deep in what they describe as “sewage water” outside the airport, waving clearance letters for evacuation flights and shouting for help, but say they’re being ignored by Canadian military personnel. Thousands of people are now congregating around, and in, the canal near the airport — many of them having come from a meeting place designated by Global Affairs Canada that they say they cannot get into …” (CBC)
• “Eucom Ready for 25,000 Afghan Evacuees at a Time” (U.S. Department of Defence)
• “Afghanistan: US, UK and Australia warn citizens away from Kabul airport amid terror threat” (stuff.co.nz)
• “Kabul terror threat: Kiwis trying to flee told to stay away from airport” (newstalkzb.co.nz)
• “U.S. embassy alert advises U.S. citizens not to go to Kabul airport” (Reuters)
• “US pledges to pressure Taliban to allow departures past August 31” (Al Jazeera)
• “Afghans with legal papers will be able to travel beyond Aug. 31, Taliban tell Germany” (Reuters)

---

MILNEWS.ca #AFG Update as of 251800UTC Aug 2021

• Just to let you know, I’ll be updating the feed here when I can, mostly during work breaks, so don’t be surprised if publication is stop and start – thanks for your patience.
• “Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan says Canada will have to withdraw its special forces soldiers and halt rescue flights at the Kabul airport within days as the August 31 deadline for the pullout of American soldiers is rapidly approaching.  Mr. Sajjan told a media briefing Wednesday that U.S. Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin has made it clear to Canada and other allies involved in the evaluation mission in Afghanistan that they will have to leave Hamid Karzai International Airport before U.S. forces depart at the end of the month …” (Globe & Mail)
• “Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said today the effort to airlift those fleeing Afghanistan out of Kabul will end in the coming days.  Earlier today, a government source said Canada could have just 24 to 48 hours to get planes in and out of the capital.  The source — who has knowledge of the mission but wasn’t authorized to speak publicly — said only a limited number of flights remain for Canada’s military and they’re running against the clock.  “Yes, in the coming days this phase will end,” Trudeau told reporters while campaigning today …” (cbc.ca)
• “Canada races to beat US deadline in Afghanistan” (BBC)
• “More than 2,700 people have been airlifted out of Kabul by Canadian forces in recent weeks and additional efforts are underway, according to the federal government …” (680news.com)
• “Situation in Afghanistan difficult to watch, say northern Ontario veterans” (cbc.ca)
• ” Muslim minister for women, gender equality faces backlash after calling Taliban ‘our brothers’ “ (theprovince.com)
• “Edmonton agencies getting ready to resettle Afghan refugees” (cbc.ca)
• “U.S. to prioritize troop evacuation in last days of Kabul operation” (Reuters via cbc.ca)
• “Six Days Until Deadline, Planes Departing Kabul With Evacuees Every 39 Minutes” (Newsweek)
• “US evacuates another 19K people from Afghanistan” (The Hill)
• “Taliban appoint senior veterans to key ministerial posts” (Reuters via Economic Times of India)
• “World Bank cuts funding to Afghanistan over concerns about Taliban rule” (United Press International)
• “Putin, Xi, agree to step up efforts to combat Afghanistan threats -Kremlin” (Reuters)
• “Agreement for Bringing Peace to Afghanistan between the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan which is not recognized by the United States as a state and is known as the Taliban and the United States of America, February 29, 2020” (PDF, U.S. State Department)

---

MILNEWS.ca #AFG Update as of 231700UTC Aug 2021

• “Kabul airport suspends operation until further notice — Afghan aviation agency” (TASS, RUS state news) – AFG Civil Aviation Authority Facebook post (in Farsi)
• “Canadian special forces operating outside Kabul airport to help stranded evacuees: officials” (The Canadian Press)
• “Special forces working outside the wire to escort Canadians, Afghans onto flights to Canada: official” (CBC)
• “Trudeau says Canada will support G7 sanctions against the Taliban” (Globe & Mail)
• “Global Affairs Canada is purging content from its websites and social media platforms in what officials say is a bid to protect Afghans at risk of reprisal from the Taliban.  But some of the content being removed or hidden also appears to include tweets that condemned the Taliban for “violent, destructive action” and others that promoted gender equality initiatives …” (Global News)
• “Canada has evacuated 1,700 people out of Kabul — including 900 Afghans” (Toronto Star)
• “Levine: What Canada should do to help Afghanistan now” (Sudbury Star)
• “Firefight involving Western forces erupts amid Kabul airport evacuation chaos” (Reuters)
• “US troops surge evacuations out of Kabul but threats persist” (Associated Press)
• “France sees need for Afghan evacuations beyond US deadline” (france24.com)
• “Amid Kabul evacuation chaos, Biden under pressure to extend deadline” (Reuters)
• “The Taliban will not announce the makeup of its government until the US completes its troop withdrawal, two sources in the movement told AFP Monday.  “It has been decided that the formation of the government and cabinet will not be announced as long as a single US soldier is present in Afghanistan,” a Taliban source said, and this was confirmed by a second insider …” (Reuters, Agence-France Press, via alarabiya.net)
• “Taliban say they have retaken three northern districts seized by Afghan militias” (Reuters)
• “The new and improved Taliban: The parting US gift to Afghanistan — After promising democracy and delivering mayhem, the US leaves behind unshaven ‘Proud Boys’ to rule over Afghans …” (Al Jazeera English)
• “Could Afghanistan under Taliban rule become a haven for Islamist militants?” (Deutsche Welle)

---