Americans, U.S. allies await Afghanistan exit

The United States evacuated nearly 6,000 people out of Afghanistan by Wednesday. But at least 10,000 Americans remain in Afghanistan, along with other Westerners. Thousands of Afghan allies of Western forces who have documents to leave and booked flights can’t access the airport surrounded by Taliban fighters and checkpoints. Many fear they would be stranded once the United States’ Aug. 31 deadline comes around.

How has the U.S. responded? The American military took control of air traffic from the Taliban on Sunday night. An American Embassy alert on Wednesday told citizens the United States can’t guarantee secure passage to the airport, adding space on evacuation flights is now “on a first come, first serve basis.” President Joe Biden told ABC News on Wednesday that U.S. troops would remain in the country until every American citizen who wants to evacuate can leave, alluding to a possible extension of the August deadline.

Dig deeper: Read Mindy Belz’s report on Americans and Afghans waiting in Kabul.