With the evacuation of Japanese people remaining in Afghanistan, the time available for local activities is virtually limited to 27 days, but the Ministry of Defense will promptly transport by air as soon as those who wish to evacuate gather at the airport. We are continuing to make adjustments so that we can do this.
Three SDF transport planes dispatched to transport Japanese who wish to evacuate from Afghanistan and Afghan staff at the embassy are based at the airport in Islamabad, neighboring Pakistan.
With the U.S. military's withdrawal deadline approaching the end of August, the government has set a de facto deadline of 27 days in Afghanistan and continues to help those wishing to evacuate to Kabul's airport. That is.
Under these circumstances, the Ministry of Defense and the Self-Defense Forces intend to transport people who wish to evacuate to Kabul's airport as soon as they gather, and will continue to make adjustments such as securing a time zone during which the Self-Defense Forces transport aircraft can take off and land at Kabul's airport. Is proceeding.
Self-Defense Forces transport aircraft so far
This is the movement of the SDF transport aircraft dispatched to evacuate foreign countries such as Japanese who remain in Afghanistan.
On August 24, one C2 transport aircraft and two C130 transport aircraft carrying SDF personnel and supplies departed Japan and arrived at the airport in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, from the 24th to the 25th. bottom.
Furthermore, before dawn on the 27th, an additional government aircraft dispatched to carry SDF personnel and equipment and materials waiting in the country arrived in Islamabad.
The Self-Defense Forces transport plane also entered Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, from the night of the 25th local time.
On the 25th, the C2 transport plane and on the 26th, the C130 transport plane landed at the airport in Kabul, where the evacuees were to be carried, and delivered the materials and equipment necessary for the crew and mission.
On the other hand, at this time, many people who wished to evacuate could not arrive at the airport, and after that, all three aircraft returned to the airport in Islamabad.
The three transport planes remain in Islamabad as of 5 pm Japan time.
Challenges in advancing evacuation
The challenge in promoting the evacuation of Japanese staff from international organizations and local Afghan staff is how to get the target people to gather at the airport.
The Air Self-Defense Force's transport aircraft are advancing to Islamabad, neighboring Pakistan, and are responsible for transportation from the airport in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan.
However, many people seeking evacuation have been unable to reach the airport in Kabul and continue to be unable to transport.
One of the causes is the inspection provided up to the airport.
According to people familiar with the matter, in order to enter the airport, it is necessary to pass through the Taliban inspection and the U.S. military gate just before the airport, but the Taliban inspection allowed us to proceed. It means that there are cases where you cannot reach the airport.
In addition, a large-scale explosion around the airport in Kabul on the night of the 26th of Japan time has heightened local tensions, and the government will continue to support the movement of those who wish to evacuate to the airport. I am.