AFGHANISTAN: Taliban urges foreign airlines to resume commercial flights

By: Ollus Ndomu

Afghanistan’s new government has called on foreign airlines to resume commercial flights to and from Kabul, while assuring safety and security at the capital city’s airport following incidents of gun attacks in recent weeks.

The Talibans regained control of the war-torn country mid last month after the collapse of a U.S.-backed Afghan government.

Mid-August, American soldiers including allied troops ended the longest military campaign in U S. history as they withdrew from Afghanistan after 20 years of conflict.

The pullout which was characterized with gun violence and fear saw Kabul airport closed for all commercial flights as emergency evacuation flights of several thousands of foreigners and vulnerable Afghans came under the threat of explosions and suicide bombers.

Kabul’s city airport that was damaged during the chaotic evacuation has been reopened for a limited number of aid and chartered passenger flights with technical assistance mainly from Qatar, Taliban confirmed Sunday.