The rapid defeat of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) and subsequent fall of the Afghan government caught most people by surprise. This included the Biden administration, Department of Defense, and Department of State. In addition, thousands of American citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs with a green card) were stranded in Afghanistan. The United States and other nations responded with a noncombatant evacuation operation (NEO) that took many thousands of AMCITs, LPRs, other foreign nationals, and at-risk Afghans to safety.
However, the ordeal is not over for some U.S. citizens. There are likely a few hundred still left in Afghanistan. In addition, many green card holders are stranded as well. Of great concern for military veterans of the 20 year involvement of U.S. military in Afghanistan are the Afghans who worked for the U.S. military or government organizations. Many of these have approved or pending Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) and are trying to leave Afghanistan. Some have gotten out prior to or during the NEO; but most remain behind.
For the past month, the editor of SOF News has been posting daily updates on the Kabul NEO operation and subsequent events at Afghan War News. You can follow the news of the effort to rescue AMCITs, LPRs, SIV applicants, and others at the link below.
