January 1, Afghanistan evacuees plea for help: ‘We are in some kind of jail’

American veterans groups say several dozen Americans, and a much larger number of green card holders and family members, are being prohibited from leaving Afghanistan.

“We think we are in some kind of jail,” said one Afghan woman in Mazar-e-Sharif. She said elderly American citizens are among those blocked from boarding evacuation planes.

The woman, who spoke on condition of anonymity, works for a US-based nonprofit that works with Afghan women and girls. She said the Taliban are blocking them from the airport, even though they have valid passports and visas.

“I am scared if they split us and not let us leave,” she said. “If we can’t get out of here, something wrong will happen. And I am afraid of that.”

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Tuesday the US was working with the Taliban to reach a resolution.

“We’ve been assured all American citizens and Afghan citizens with valid travel documents will be allowed to leave,” Blinken said.

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Evacuees plead for action: ‘We are in some kind of jail’