The federal government will deploy the Defence Force “when necessary” in the evacuation of Afghans to Australia, says Scott Morrison.
Coalition forces have almost entirely withdrawn troops from Afghanistan, leaving Taliban forces to retake the country.
The visa program is eligible for those Afghan locals who were directly employed by the Commonwealth government during Australia’s troop deployment. Not only are cities falling, but even the Afghan government has also started fleeing. Reports that Afghanistan's first Vice President Amrullah Saleh has fled to Tajikistan. Even the 'famous' anti-Taliban warlord, Md Ismail Khan, has surrendered to the Taliban.Mr Morrison said Australia had been “liaising very closely” with the United States who recently unveiled a new visa program to extend beyond only those Afghans who worked directly for the government.
“We will continue to implement that program with a great sense of urgency in partnership with those who also are engaged in similar activities in that region.” The Biden administration addressed this in early August when it announced a new visa to include those who did not qualify. “We have a special responsibility to these individuals. They stood with us. We will stand with them.”
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