European nations evacuate troops, embassy staff from Afghanistan

Germany is sending military transport planes to Kabul to begin the evacuation of its embassy staff tomorrow.

The German news agency dpa reports that the mission will include the evacuation of local Afghan staff working for the German embassy. A German official, speaking on condition of anonymity because they aren’t authorized to be quoted, tells The Associated Press that paratroopers will secure the operation.

The military planes are expected to ferry evacuees from Kabul to a base in Central Asia, from where charter planes will bring them to Germany.

Meanwhile, Italian media reports that most personnel at the Italian Embassy in Kabul are being transferred to the Afghan capital’s airport in preparation for evacuation.

The report by Corriere della Sera says the move affects some 50 Italian staffers and 30 Afghan employees and their families, along with Carabinieri paramilitary police protecting the embassy.

The Foreign Ministry confirms that staff are being transferred to the airport, as other nations are in the process of doing, but cannot give numbers or timing.

Italy’s defense minister has said that 228 Afghans and their families have already been transferred to Italy, calling it a “moral duty” to protect those who had worked with Italy and who would face reprisals by the Taliban.

The Italian agency LaPresse reports a flight carrying Italian embassy staff will depart Kabul this evening.