By Canadian Press

Canadian special forces operating outside Kabul airport to help evacuees: officials

Aug 23, 2021 | 10:47 AM

OTTAWA — Canadian officials say the military’s special forces are operating outside the closed confines of Kabul’s chaotic airport to get people on flights out of Afghanistan.

The officials would not provide more details, citing the sensitivity of the security situation, but they said they are having success in getting more Afghans to safety.

They said a Canadian C-17 Globemaster carried 436 people out of Kabul airport on Sunday night, including Canadian citizens and family members, as well as Afghan nationals accepted for resettlement by Canada and its allies — up from the 121 airlifted a day earlier.

The disclosure came during a briefing for journalists on Monday, on the condition the officials not be named as per the agreements for such background briefings.

Desperate Afghans who previously worked as interpreters for Western military forces and news agencies, among others, are in hiding, fearing for the safety of themselves and their families after Afghanistan fell to the Taliban last week and exposed them to violent reprisals.

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday he will be taking part in a G7 meeting that will be looking at ways to address the crisis. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 23, 2021.

The Canadian Press