Last British troop, diplomats depart Kabul

KABUL (Pajhwok): The last British troops, diplomats and other officials have departed Kabul, the BBC reported on Sunday morning.

With the departure of the RAF flight from the Hamid Karzai International Airport, the UK’s two-decade military involvement in Afghanistan has come to an end.

In a letter to the armed forces, Prime Minister Boris called the moment a chance to reflect on the gains of recent weeks and the last two decades, including girls’ education and degrading Al-Qaeda.

It would be a difficult time for the friends and loved ones of the 457 British service members who sacrificed their lives during the war, he added.

Johnson acknowledged UK’s involvement in Afghanistan “kept al-Qaeda from our door for two decades and we are all safer as a result”.

The prime minister’s office said the evacuees included around 2,200 children, with the youngest just one day old.

On the RAF’s evacuation flight, 5,000 British citizens and their families were airlifted. The plane also took 8,000 Afghans and their families to the UK.

“Every one of you [has] displayed the highest levels of professionalism and bravery. You have helped thousands to get to a better future and safety,” Defence Secretary Ben Wallace told the returning troops.

PAN Monitor/mud

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