Amsterdam’s Dream of an Afghan Escape Turns Into a Reality Check
Inside the chaos at the gates of Kabul Airport: Dutch Foreign Minister Sigrid Kaag calls the night’s evacuation attempt a “total disappointment.” No Dutch‑directed travelers were whisked away on the military plane that tried to fly out on Thursday night.
Why the Dominican \? (Oops, Dutch*)
- Target group: Up to 1,000 embassy locals, translators, and their families.
- Flight plan: A Dutch‑backed military aircraft was ready, in partnership with other Northern European allies.
- The result: It left Kabul empty‑handed.
Gate‑way drama in real time
As Sigrid Kaag lamented to the ANP (National News Agency), “People were holding their breath at the airport’s entrance with their families, and none made it aboard.”
Meanwhile, U.S. forces guarding the airport had a strict no‑entry policy that cached anyone—no matter how “legit” their credentials—once they reached the gates. The plane only lingered on the tarmac for half an hour before taking off back to the Netherlands without a single evacuee.
Hope FTW: Tuesday was a let‑down, but Thursday is the new game plan
“I’m standing by hoping the situation clears up on Wednesday,” Kaag said, hopeful that the chaos will subside long enough to secure a successful evacuation. “We’re pulling all the resources we have to guarantee every intended evacuee gets out.”
