House votes to evacuate more Afghan allies as US war ends

The US House of Representatives has voted overwhelmingly to allow in thousands more of the Afghans who worked along side Americans in the Afghanistan war, citing the urgency of protecting those on-the-ground allies from Taliban retaliation as the US military withdrawal enters its final weeks. The bill allows 8,000 more visas for translators and others who worked with US troops and civilians in Afghanistan. Currently, 26,500 of the special Afghan visas are allocated. The house passed the new measure 407-16, sending it to the Senate. All of the no votes were from Republicans. President Joe Biden decreed an end to the US military role in Afghanistan by September 11.The Pentagon says the US withdrawal is 95 per cent finished and will be completed by August 31. The bill allows 8,000 more visas for translators and others who worked with US government troops and civilians in Afghanistan. It also eases some requirements for visas. Currently, 26,500 special Afghan visas are allocated. The Biden administration says there are 20,000 applicants so far, half of whom have not completed the initial stages of review for the visas. The United States is also allowing former Afghan employees to bring in close family members.

Meanwhile, the US military launched several airstrikes this week in support of Afghan Government forces fighting Taliban insurgents, including in the strategically important province of Kandahar, officials said. Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said that in the last several days, US has acted, through airstrikes, to support the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces. US has a variety of combat aircraft based in the Middle East within range of Afghanistan, including warplanes aboard an aircraft carrier in the region and fighters and bombers in the Persian Gulf area.