The Afghan authorities announced - on Sunday - the operation of an "air defense system" to protect Kabul Airport, the only way out for foreign nationals, while some countries evacuated their diplomats, in an indication of growing concerns with the rapid advance of the Taliban.

 With foreign forces beginning to withdraw permanently from the country, at the beginning of May, the Taliban launched a large-scale attack on Afghan forces, confused by the loss of critical US air support.

The movement has controlled vast areas in the depth of Afghanistan.

The Afghan forces no longer control only the main hubs and major regional cities, amid a siege imposed by the Taliban on many of these cities.

Fear has reached the capital

The Taliban now controls several areas adjacent to the Afghan capital, which raised fears of an attack on Kabul or its airport in the foreseeable future.

The Afghan Ministry of Interior said - in a statement - that "the newly established air defense system went into operation at 02:00 am on Sunday.

 "This system has proven its effectiveness around the world, in repelling rocket and missile attacks," she added.

The ministry's spokesman, Tariq Arian, only made it clear to AFP that it was posted at Kabul airport, and only protects its facilities.

In turn, the spokesman for the Afghan security forces, Ajmal Omar Shinwari, revealed that the system "was provided by our foreign friends... until now, they continue to operate it until we gain know-how."

During 20 years in Afghanistan, the US forces had provided their bases with several C-RAM systems capable of detecting and destroying missiles.

A similar system was located at the huge Bagram base 50 km north of Kabul, which was received by Afghan forces at the beginning of July.

The Taliban had previously carried out a series of missile attacks on Afghan and foreign forces, and in 2020, the Islamic State launched a similar attack on Kabul.

A foreign security source said, "The Taliban lacks organized means, but it has proven its ability to launch modified shells from vehicles, and cause panic, especially if it targets an airport."

Turkey had announced its commitment to ensuring the security of Kabul Airport with the end of the expected withdrawal of US and foreign forces on August 31, while President Recep Tayyip Erdogan revealed - Friday - that Ankara and Washington had agreed on "arrangements" for his country's forces to hand over the airport.

Diplomats are leaving

In a reflection of the growing fears of clashes near Kandahar, India announced the evacuation of its staff from its consulate in the largest city in southern Afghanistan.

The province of Kandahar - the historical stronghold of the Taliban - has been the scene of violent clashes in recent times.

 At the beginning of July, Taliban fighters took over Penjawi province, 15 km from Kandahar city, and on Friday attacked a prison on its outskirts, but were repulsed.

"The Consulate General (in Kandahar) has not closed its doors, but due to heavy fighting near Kandahar, its Indian staff have been evacuated for the time being," the Indian Foreign Ministry said.

"It is a completely temporary measure, until the situation stabilizes. The consulate continues to operate thanks to its local staff," she added.

A security source in Kabul said that about 50 Indian embassy employees, including 6 diplomats, were evacuated from Kandahar, without knowing if their final destination was the Afghan capital or New Delhi.

Russia had also recently closed its consulate in Mazar-i-Sharif, the most prominent city in the province of Balkh, bordering Uzbekistan, in a decision taken against the background of the battles in northern Afghanistan.

Beijing also called on its citizens to leave the country, and evacuated 210 of them at the beginning of July.

Call and reassurance

For its part, the Afghan Ministry of Refugees called on European countries to stop deporting migrants in the next three months, due to the "escalation of violence" and the outbreak of the Covid-19 epidemic.

Today, Sunday, Ajmal Omar Shinwari tried to reassure him, denying the Taliban's control of 85% of the country, as they claim, statements that are impossible to verify independently.

"It is not true. The battles are continuing in most of the areas" that the Taliban claim to have seized, he said, reiterating the call for young men to join the army.

"The government has facilitated the recruitment process," he said.

This statement coincides with the mobilization of the government and warlords against the Taliban local militias, which raises the fear of a new civil war.

But Pakistan's ambassador to Kabul, Mansour Ahmed Khan, warned yesterday, Saturday, against the deployment of these militias, explaining that this would exacerbate the situation in the country and make way for al-Qaeda or the Islamic State.