State Department refuses to allow charter flights carrying Americans to land at DoD bases.
Citing security risks, the State Department has refused to grant official approval for private rescue and evacuation flights from Afghanistan to land in third countries, even though the department conceded that official authorization would likely be needed for planes to land in those nations. Further, the State Department stated that charter flights, even those carrying American citizens, would not be allowed to land at Defense Department airbases.
The organizer of a series of private flights to evacuate those left stranded in Afghanistan, Eric Montalvo, received an email from the State Department stating, “No independent charters are allowed to land at [Al Udeid Air Base]… In fact, no charters are allowed to land at an [sic] DoD base and most if not all countries in the Middle Eastern region, with the exception of perhaps Saudi Arabia will allow charters to land… You need to find another destination country and it can’t be the U.S. either.” The communication stated that agreements with host/destination countries would not be approved by the State Department either, but the U.S. Embassy would provide a ”no objection” response to that government.
On Tuesday, Secretary of State Blinken stated, ”We’re working around the clock with NGOs, with members of Congress and advocacy groups, providing any and all information and doing all we can to clear any roadblocks that they’ve identified to make sure that charter flights carrying Americans or others to whom we have a special responsibility can depart Afghanistan safely.” He said that flight plans, manifests, security protocols, and the identities of passengers on private flights departing Afghanistan cannot be verified ”without personnel on the ground.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For the secretary of state and other department officials coordinating efforts to withdraw U.S. citizens from Afghanistan.
- For Americans and Afghan allies stranded in Afghanistan who are seeking to leave.
- For the private individuals who have mounted “rescue” flights and are not being allowed to leave Afghanistan.
Sources: Fox News, New York Post
