Kabul: The US Embassy in Kabul on its website has issued a security alert stating the airport is "taking fire", asking the US citizens to 'shelter in place'.
"The security situation in Kabul is changing quickly including at the airport. There are reports of the airport taking fire; therefore we are instructing U.S. citizens to move to safer place.
"U.S. citizens wanting assistance in departing the country should register for any option that might be identified to return to the United States, and must complete this Repatriation Assistance Request for each traveler in their group... Do not call the U.S. Embassy in Kabul for details or updates about the flight. This form is the only way to communicate interest in flight options," the advisory further states.
The United States is pulling out all US personnel from its embassy in Kabul over the next 72 hours, including top officials, CNN reported citing sources on Sunday.
Also Read: US completely pulling out all embassy staff from Afghanistan in next 72 hours
Most of the American diplomats were reportedly instructed to go to the airport in Kabul and then fly back to the US. A small number of core personnel, including the top US diplomat in the country, will remain at the Kabul airport, if reports are to be believed.
The decision to pull diplomatic personnel out of the country comes as the Taliban has surrounded Kabul on Sunday after taking control of key provincial capitals. Earlier, on Saturday, US President Joe Biden authorised the deployment of additional 1,000 troops in Afghanistan, raising the number of American troops in the war-torn country to 5,000 to ensure a safe and orderly drawdown of personnel.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Sunday finally gave up power as the Taliban formed an interim government after talks between the Afghan govt and Taliban negotiators.
According to sources, Ali Ahmad Jalali is likely to be appointed as the head of the new interim government after the Afghanistan Government surrendered to the Taliban insurgents.
Jalali is a former Interior ministry of Afghanistan from Jan 2003-September 2005.
