Civil Aircraft Departing Afghanistan Arrives in Qatar... US Positively Evaluates Taliban Cooperation

A Qatar Airways passenger plane carrying Americans and other foreigners is taking off from Kabul Airport, the capital of Afghanistan, on the 9th (local time). [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] After the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, a plane carrying foreign evacuees departed Kabul for the first time and arrived in Qatar.

CNN reported on the 9th (local time) that a commercial flight carrying about 200 foreigners, including dozens of Americans, took off from Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul and arrived in Doha, the capital of Qatar.

The Qatar Airways Boeing 777 carrying the passengers arrived in Doha, the capital of Qatar, after which the passengers headed to a compound facility.

Sources said that Americans, Canadians, Ukrainians, Germans, and British received exit permits from the Taliban.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, expressed gratitude for the Taliban allowing the resumption of commercial flights.

The U.S. also expressed appreciation for the Taliban’s cooperation. Emily Horne, spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, said, "The Taliban have cooperated with the departure of flights carrying U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents. This is a positive first step."

CNN evaluated this flight as the first sign that foreigners wishing to leave Afghanistan can voluntarily depart.

According to sources, major Afghan airlines are also resuming flights, and civilian flights departing Kabul are expected to continue.