Taliban preventing departure of 6 planes filled with Americans and allies, says Rep. Mike McCaul

[Valin]

Just The News

Rep. McCaul said this is 'turning into a hostage situation'

Just The News Staff

Sept. 5 2021

The Taliban are keeping at least six airplanes filled with American civilians and allies from leaving Afghanistan, according to Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Tx.), the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, speaking on Fox News Sunday. 

 

"In fact we have six airplanes at Mazar-i-Sharif airport, six airplanes, with American citizens on them as I speak, also with these interpreters, and the Taliban is holding them hostage for demands right now," Mr. McCaul said. "State has cleared these flights and the Taliban will not let them leave the airport."

"The Taliban wants something in exchange, this is really … turning into a hostage situation where they are not going to allow American citizens to leave until they get full recognition from the United States of America," he said.

(Snip)

 

[Valin]

State Dept. says it can't confirm if 6 planes are being held hostage in Afghanistan by the Taliban

This could be the biggest test yet for the Biden administration if the claim is true.

Just The News Stall

Sept. 5 2021

he State Department said on Sunday that it was unable to confirm or deny a claim by Rep. Mike McCaul (R-Tx.) that the Taliban is refusing to let six American planes leave Afghanistan, loaded with American citizens and their allies. 

 

The State Department spokesperson said it does not have the "reliable means" to confirm the claim "because it has no information on the ground about charter flights following the U.S. military withdrawal from the country," according to The Hill.

McCaul said the Taliban is "holding them hostage for demands right now," though he didn't explain what they were seeking. He said, however, the flights had been cleared by the State Department.

"Given these constraints, we also do not have a reliable means to confirm the basic details of charter flights, including who may be organizing them, the number of U.S. citizens and other priority groups on-board, the accuracy of the rest of the manifest, and where they plan to land, among many other issues," the spokesperson told The Hill.

(Snip)

________________________________________________

Bold Mine

[Geee]

As Taliban Grounds Planes Out of Afghanistan, Biden Administration Says There’s Little It Can Do

"We do not have personnel on the ground, we do not have air assets in the country, we do not control the airspace—whether over Afghanistan or elsewhere in the region," a State Department spokesman told the Washington Free Beacon. "We understand the concern that many people are feeling as they try to facilitate further charter and other passage out of Afghanistan."

[Geee]

Glenn Beck group-funded planes to be used for evacuations being grounded by Taliban

[Valin]