First military airlifts since Kabul evacuation bring more Afghans to UK
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More than 100 Afghans have arrived in the UK after being airlifted out of a neighbouring country by the RAF.
Two evacuation flights arrived in the UK carrying Afghans and British nationals, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said.
While repatriation flights and individual relocations have been taking place since the end of August, the two airlifts were the first military relocations since the end of the evacuation from Kabul, known as Operation Pitting.
These flights mark the beginning of what will be an enduring effort to relocate and support those who need our help
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “In August we worked tirelessly to airlift more than 15,000 vulnerable Afghans and British nationals from Kabul to the UK.
“As I made clear at the time, our commitment to the Afghan people did not end there. We are determined to do right by those who supported our Armed Forces for so many years and others who are at risk.
“These flights mark the beginning of what will be an enduring effort to relocate and support those who need our help.”
The MoD said more than 102 people had left Afghanistan from the unnamed third country across two flights, which have both now landed in the UK.
The department said those on board – vulnerable Afghans who fall under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (Arap) who are eligible for relocation to the UK, and British nationals – will now receive support if needed.
Further flights are also due to arrive in the UK in the coming weeks with more eligible people on board.
