The minister of Defence, Margarita Robles, downplayed on Monday the euphoria surrounding the operations to return people from Afghanistan. The head of the Ministry of Defence maintains that the intention is to "get as many people out as possible while it is still feasible. We will bring in as many as we can for as long as we can". She wanted to point out that this does not depend on them, but on the situation of the country, of the airport, and the deadline established by the United States to get its troops out. Their intention is to do so before August 31st.
The caution shown by Robles on Monday is due to the Taliban's warning about not respecting the planned period for leaving the country. They spoke of "possible consequences" after the United States hinted they might not be able to meet the deadline.
Margarita Robles made these statements after her visit this morning to the headquarters of the Military Emergency Unit at the Torrejón de Ardoz air base (Madrid), location of the camp where the evacuated Afghans are being held. She also declared that the 260 new evacuees who left Kabul in the early hours of the morning on two Spanish army planes are expected to arrive between this afternoon and tonight.
Support from the opposition
The minister of Defence praised the military actions and the evacuation process carried out by the Spanish armed forces. Margarita Robles stated that "Spain is giving its best image". Once again, Robles called on the opposition to "support" the operation. "The only thing that should matter to us is that people can get out". She also said that "in politics, not everything goes".
Robles did not give any more details about what is involved in the special operations team of the Spanish army in Afghanistan, but called for "caution and discretion", since "they are risking their lives". The minister simply said that "the army has sent everything it considers necessary".
These statements come after Margarita Robles said on Sunday, from the camp where the rescued Afghans are being held, that people who are in Kabul airport and have no way out should shout "Spain, Spain!” or carry a flag of the country or "something red".