Italy will bring back some 400 more
Afghans threatened with Taliban reprisals from Afghanistan
Thursday as an airlift from Kabul steps up pace.
Some 20 Afghan former assistants to Italy's 20-year mission in
the Asian country were airlifted out Monday and a further 200
followed on Tuesday and Wednesday.
An Italian air force C130 left Kabul Thursday morning with 99
Afghan citizens aboard.
Another C130 had left during the night carrying 95 Afghans.
All of them will transfer to KC767s in Kuwait to be flown t
Rome.
Meanwhile in Kabul Taliban checkpoints are stopping Afghans from
reaching the airport.
US soldiers control the airport but all the roads leading to it
are under the control of the Islamist militants.
Twelve people have died since Sunday at the airport.
Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio conferred on the phone with US
Secretary of State Antony Blinken overnight and reiterated the
importance of acting with the utmost unity, prioritising respect
and safeguards for human rights.
The officials agreed that the US and Italy will work closely on
the evacuation of Afghans and may set up joint flights.
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