Afghanistan

[Silly Sausage]

Why are they call isi-k and not isil now?

What is ISIS-K?

You've likely seen us mentioning terror group ISIS-K today, which is thought to be behind the attack outside Kabul airport.

So who are they? Here's an explanation from our foreign affairs editor Deborah Haynes.

Islamic State Khorasan, or ISIS-K, emerged in around 2015 as part of an expansion of the group's reach outside of Iraq and Syria.

The Khorasan region historically covers Afghanistan, Pakistan, Central Asia and parts of Iran.

ISIS-K fighters are thought to number up to 2,200, though this figure could well be rising due to the security vacuum left by departing foreign troops.

They are mainly based in Kunar and Nangarhar provinces and are responsible for some of the worst attacks in Afghanistan, one at a maternity hospital in Kabul last year that killed 24 people - including mothers and newborns.

The group is led by a militant called Shahab al Muhajir. Previous leaders have been captured or killed by US and Afghan forces.

Islamic State is also no friend of the Taliban, and how the Taliban negotiated with the US before their return to power.

Afghanistan live updates: 'Ruthless' Taliban could end up co-ordinating with ISIS-K, says US top general

US President Joe Biden hails 'extraordinary success' of Afghanistan evacuation; UK official Sir Simon Gass meets senior members of Taliban to ensure Britons can safely leave; Pope Francis criticises West's involvement; former MI6 boss warns UK's terror threat level 'greater today'.

news.sky.com

 

[fluffyglitterbug]

Four US marines have been confirmed to have been killed in today’s attacks. This is just going to get nastier and more chaotic than it already was. What a desperate situation.

 

[thegirlscout]

Ben Wallace is saying that Pen and his convoy can’t jump the queue etc etc but that was never the issue. Pen never wanted the jump the queue, he just wanted to leave with his staff and animals. If Wallace hadn’t been posturing this would have been sorted last week.

Four US marines have been confirmed to have been killed in today’s attacks. This is just going to get nastier and more chaotic than it already was. What a desperate situation.

Where did you read that about the US marines? I can’t see it anyway

 

[fluffyglitterbug]

Ben Wallace is saying that Pen and his convoy can’t jump the queue etc etc but that was never the issue. Pen never wanted the jump the queue, he just wanted to leave with his staff and animals. If Wallace hadn’t been posturing this would have been sorted last week.


Where did you read that about the US marines? I can’t see it anyway

https://www.archive.is/oldest/https...port-British-armed-forces-minister-warns.html

It's confirmed on multiple Twitter feeds too

 

[Ahahha]

That's it wish there was another way for pen ben and his pal Boris better do one

 

[Merpedy]

Ben Wallace is saying that Pen and his convoy can’t jump the queue etc etc but that was never the issue. Pen never wanted the jump the queue, he just wanted to leave with his staff and animals. If Wallace hadn’t been posturing this would have been sorted last week.

Honestly, Wallace seems far more focused on picking fights on Twitter and the news rather than simply stating the issues that they have and keeping people updated without being rude

His latest tweets on Pen have explained that waiting at the gates is a normal procedure as thats where they’re being ‘processed’ (whatever that means), which is fine but probably hasn’t been explained to Pen’s team very well. The other NGO have also confirmed that they had to wait over 24 hours in a similar position

I don’t know how he hasn’t been reigned it tbh, it just doesn’t look very good

~~~

Also interested in that news article, seems to suggest that Pen did get to the airport but then left after the attack. Though it’s not confirmed whether they passed the gates or not, because if not the suggestion would be that they have abandoned the plan.

Apparently they changed to another plane due to safety concerns, but I imagine the situation around that is uncertain. If countries really are stopping evacuations, this plane may actually be somewhat beneficial if extra seats remain

 

[thegirlscout]

Honestly, Wallace seems far more focused on picking fights on Twitter and the news rather than simply stating the issues that they have and keeping people updated without being rude

His latest tweets on Pen have explained that waiting at the gates is a normal procedure as thats where they’re being ‘processed’ (whatever that means), which is fine but probably hasn’t been explained to Pen’s team very well. The other NGO have also confirmed that they had to wait over 24 hours in a similar position

I don’t know how he hasn’t been reigned it tbh, it just doesn’t look very good

~~~

Also interested in that news article, seems to suggest that Pen did get to the airport but then left after the attack. Though it’s not confirmed whether they passed the gates or not, because if not the suggestion would be that they have abandoned the plan.

Apparently they changed to another plane due to safety concerns, but I imagine the situation around that is uncertain. If countries really are stopping evacuations, this plane may actually be somewhat beneficial if extra seats remain

Ben Wallace needs to be reigned in on Twitter. He’s smearing Pen’s name and these repeated ‘multi-tweets’ are close enough to bullying. He’s acting far too emotional online and it isn’t professional or helpful.

 

[Ahahha]

I'm watching a plane on flight tracker atm its not any army but it close to afghan maybe one of the animals ones also it a cargo

 

[Underthetabletop]

Ben Wallace needs to be reigned in on Twitter. He’s smearing Pen’s name and these repeated ‘multi-tweets’ are close enough to bullying. He’s acting far too emotional online and it isn’t professional or helpful.

It’s not professional. But he also carries the responsibility for everyone else getting out too, he’s probably got soldiers families emailing, people emailing who know someone who went there to see fam.
Can you imagine- if Pen and his group goes down that’s terrible and it’s horrific but if any of the military go after so long, the Tommy Robinsons etc will be after his blood. One casualty is one too many and he will carry the can- I’d be emotional and reactive being in charge of all this especially if other departments that could help aren’t. Whilst he’s doing this, Pritti Patel is rolling up the welcome photo ops, Carrie Johnson is probably stomping around because animals, Nicola Sturgeon is trying to distract with a lockdown threat. And then there’s everyone pinging him on Twitter calling him all the names under the sun and wanting an explanation NOW! It doesn’t help does it, not when time is of the balance and he just wants everyone out.
but I wish people would get that this is about humanity, it’s not Pen v Ben before a boxing match type thing. Tbh, I’d rather the whole thing just be shut down on there, get done what needs to be done and then people can discuss afterwards

 

[Silly Sausage]

I've been watching flightradar24 and there have been lots of UK and US planes flying in the past couple hours. Haven't see any commercial planes at all today. There were several yesterday. Everything slowed down a lot after the bombings and a couple planes turned around. Everything seems to be picking up now though.

 

[Ahahha]

I've been watching flightradar24 and there have been lots of UK and US planes flying in the past couple hours. Haven't see any commercial planes at all today. There were several yesterday. Everything slowed down a lot after the bombings and a couple planes turned around. Everything seems to be picking up now though.

It's went another way itsnunder doha/na

 

[Merpedy]

There’s reports of a third explosion but no media seems to have confirmed it and Twitter isn’t the most trustworthy source

hopefully it’s just someone making a mistake

 

[thegirlscout]

10 US service personal have died in the blast according to the Daily Mail. How horrific for them and the others killed.

It’s not professional. But he also carries the responsibility for everyone else getting out too, he’s probably got soldiers families emailing, people emailing who know someone who went there to see fam.
Can you imagine- if Pen and his group goes down that’s terrible and it’s horrific but if any of the military go after so long, the Tommy Robinsons etc will be after his blood. One casualty is one too many and he will carry the can- I’d be emotional and reactive being in charge of all this especially if other departments that could help aren’t. Whilst he’s doing this, Pritti Patel is rolling up the welcome photo ops, Carrie Johnson is probably stomping around because animals, Nicola Sturgeon is trying to distract with a lockdown threat. And then there’s everyone pinging him on Twitter calling him all the names under the sun and wanting an explanation NOW! It doesn’t help does it, not when time is of the balance and he just wants everyone out.
but I wish people would get that this is about humanity, it’s not Pen v Ben before a boxing match type thing. Tbh, I’d rather the whole thing just be shut down on there, get done what needs to be done and then people can discuss afterwards

I get that, he must be under enormous stress. But I can’t help feeling that this is if his own making, we should have been pulling people out back in May like the French, not leaving it to a mad dash.

Just read that Pen’s flight got cancelled and they have gone back to the shelter.

 

[fluffyglitterbug]

10 US service personal have died in the blast according to the Daily Mail. How horrific for them and the others killed.


I get that, he must be under enormous stress. But I can’t help feeling that this is if his own making, we should have been pulling people out back in May like the French, not leaving it to a mad dash.

Just read that Pen’s flight got cancelled and they have gone back to the shelter.

This is an absolute tit show. I don't just mean for Pen and his colleagues, but the whole damn situation.

 

[Ahahha]

This is an absolute tit show. I don't just mean for Pen and his colleagues, but the whole damn situation.

My mind has been blown It's all mad

That's 4 USA planes in afghan

 

[Merpedy]

Pen was on BBC News just now

They returned to the shelter and staff were unable to get past the gates (believe this is something to do with US though) and his staff are telling him that he should leave as he’s at most danger. Due to the restrictions he will be unable to take any dogs it seems

Upsetting really

Edit - apparently the US changed the documents needed

 

[thegirlscout]

Pen was on BBC News just now

They returned to the shelter and staff were unable to get past the gates (believe this is something to do with US though) and his staff are telling him that he should leave as he’s at most danger. Due to the restrictions he will be unable to take any dogs it seems

Upsetting really

Pen should leave, if he has a chance. He’s extra military so is a walking target for the Taliban and ISIS-K. I hoped for better news but it seems that it’s game over now.

I wonder if the handling of the Pen case with effect Ben Wallace’s career?

 

[Underthetabletop]

The worst bit is, for all the advice of try and get to the border for others, they are being turned back. Funnily enough, China is now in Cahoots with them for mining, Iran and Pakistan aren’t exactly known for their easy going views and I don’t know enough with the other countries, but gather Uzbekistan sent refugees back last week under the assurances that they wouldn’t be harmed…..

Biden has so much blood on his hands. The EU nations can only do so much, as can the UK, Australia etc. We needed a strong worldwide movement to try and change the parameters. Instead, we negotiated a slight time frame and then worked on a wing and a prayer

 

[Ahahha]

Pen should leave, if he has a chance. He’s extra military so is a walking target for the Taliban and ISIS-K. I hoped for better news but it seems that it’s game over now.

I wonder if the handling of the Pen case with effect Ben Wallace’s career?

It has he done for now Boris can go in his cobra meeting but it's not rocket science they been let down big time and this is what twit 1 wanted

 

[fluffyglitterbug]

I've just watched this on Twitter (I hope the link works!)