Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed her deep dismay at the Taliban’s seizure of power in Afghanistan. “These developments are bitter, dramatic and appalling, especially for the people in Afghanistan,” said the Federal Chancellor. Merkel stressed that every effort would be made to ensure both German nationals and local support staff were brought to safety. 1,900 local Afghan staff and their families have already been flown out to Germany or other countries, and more are to follow. Praising international cooperation in connection with evacuation operations, Merkel pledged to “do everything in our power to get these people out of the country”.

Despite the current situation on the ground, the Federal Chancellor stressed that the “allies and of course the Federal Armed Forces along with numerous civilian organisations had accomplished an enormous amount”.  She recalled “those who paid for the mission with their lives or have been left with physical and psychological scars”. Germany and the international community nonetheless had to accept that apart from combating terrorism, expectations had not been met, she said. “This is a bitter realisation – especially for the many Afghans who have been very actively involved in making progress,” said Merkel on Monday.

The Federal Government intends to coordinate closely with its international partners as the situation unfolds in Afghanistan. “The conditions in Kabul are extremely difficult, so it is crucial for German efforts to be integrated into international operations,” Merkel stressed. She discussed this issue with French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday. The Federal Cabinet will approve a Bundestag mandate for the mission on Wednesday, but evacuation operations have already got underway due to the urgency of the situation. There will also be a discussion of how to support Afghanistan’s neighbouring countries in coping with the expected movement of refugees.

Evacuations have begun

Following the incursion of the radical Islamic Taliban into Kabul, the Federal Government has made it clear that top priority was attached to the safety of German nationals, German Embassy staff in Kabul and people with whom Germany has worked on the ground in recent years. On Monday morning, the first A400M transport aircraft took off for Kabul from Wunstorf, one of several that will be carrying out evacuation operations. These aircraft are the key element in an airlift operation between Kabul and Germany. People will initially be flown from Kabul to a central third country that serves as a hub for the onward flight to Germany in a civilian aircraft.

Mutual support for evacuation

“It is now an absolute priority to ensure that those in need of protection are brought safely to Germany,” said Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer. “Our aim is to get as many people out of Afghanistan as the situation on the ground allows”.

Evacuation operations are being supported by 200 paratroopers of the Airborne Brigade, the Federal Armed Forces unit which can be deployed most rapidly in crisis situations abroad. Military police and Federal Armed Forces paramedics are also involved. Germany and other countries are providing mutual support on the ground for the evacuation. The first German Embassy staff members were flown out by US forces. Germany is also providing assistance to other countries to support the evacuation.

Embassy core team to remain in Kabul

Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said that the German Embassy would maintain a core team at the airport in Kabul to secure operational capacity and provide support for further evacuation measures over the next few days. 

“The Federal Government is now doing everything in its power to enable German nationals and former local staff to leave the country in the coming days,” said Maas.