US citizens urged to leave Afghanistan after reports of the capture of Kandahar

Following reports of the takeover of Kandahar, the US embassy in Afghanistan asked US citizens who are in the country to leave via commercial flights. This is not the first appeal on the mission's website calling on the Americans to urgently leave Afghan territory.

“The Embassy urges US citizens to leave Afghanistan immediately using available commercial flights. If you cannot afford to buy an air ticket now, contact the US Embassy, ​​”the publication says.

The need for US citizens to urgently leave Afghanistan in the diplomatic mission was explained by the increase in the number of reports of cases of violence and threats in Kabul. The embassy advised American tourists not to travel within the country "due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnappings, armed conflict and covid-19." The diplomats also warned of possible restrictions on ground and air traffic.

Americans were additionally asked to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). This will help you receive new information to ensure your safety, and will also allow the embassy to quickly get in touch with a person in an emergency. The diplomatic mission stressed that if the US government decides to officially evacuate citizens on a special flight, it will notify them through this program.