U.S. Embassy in Kabul instructs Americans to Shelter in place amid gunfire at airport

The U.S. Embassy in Kabul instructed the American citizen on Sunday that the security situation in Afghanistan was deteriorating and all American citizens to “shelter in place” after the gunfire reported at the airport in Afghanistan’s capital.

“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 shelter in place,” The U.S. Embassy in Kabul said in a security alert notice to American citizens.

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, The embassy suggested to the US Citizens in the notice. The embassy says spouses and minor children of U.S. citizens in Afghanistan who are awaiting immigrant visas should also complete this form if they wish to depart.

“Please do so as soon as possible. You must complete this form even if you’ve previously submitted your information to the U.S. Embassy in Kabul,” the embassy urged American citizens.

Also read |Taliban Surrounds Kabul-‘Peaceful Transfer of Power’ Underway

The Taliban has taken control of Afghanistan’s presidential palace, two senior Taliban commanders present in Kabul told Reuters on Sunday after President Ashraf Ghani left the country.

There was no confirmation from the Afghan government about the Taliban’s claim. Government officials were not immediately contactable, according to the source.

Officials told Reuters and the Associated Press that President Ashraf Ghani has left Afghanistan for Tajikistan, confirmation of the news yet to varified.

According to Al Arabiya, Kabul will be handed over to the Taliban and an interim government led by the group will be formed.

All commercial flights out of Kabul’s International Airport have been suspended, according to a Nato official.

Only military aircraft are allowed to operate.

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