Defense Secretary denounces criticism of animal evacuations from Afghanistan

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Resurgence of the Taliban in Afghanistan

The Defense Secretary denounced criticism from supporters of a former Royal Marine seeking to evacuate animals from Afghanistan.

Paul Farthing, known as Pen, who founded the Nowzad shelter in Kabul, aims to get 200 dogs and cats out of the country alongside his animal shelter staff.

Ben Wallace has dismissed claims he blocked a flight to take the animals away, saying it was a complete myth.

It came as Boris Johnson denied having had any influence on the rescue attempts.

In a series of tweets, Mr. Wallace denounced the intimidation, lies and threatening behavior towards Department of Defense personnel.

Let’s see some facts: 1. No one, at any time, has blocked a flight. This is a total myth and is being peddled as if this is the reason the animal was not evacuated. 2. I never said I wouldn’t facilitate. I said no one would be allowed to skip the line.

Rt. MP Ben Wallace (@BWallaceMP) August 26, 2021

He said: Let’s get some facts out there: One. No one, at any time, has blocked a flight.

This is a total myth and is being peddled as if this is the reason the animal was not evacuated.

Of them. I never said I wouldn’t facilitate. I said no one would be allowed to skip the line.

Three. The problem, as those desperate people waiting outside the gates know too well, has always been dealt with by the entrances. It may take more than 24 hours. There is no point in showing up with an aircraft until passengers / pets are airside.

Four. As people were dealt with ARAP (Afghan Assistance and Resettlement Policy), LOTR (Leave Out of Immigration Rules), etc., they were called forth. Once processed and on the aerodrome, they are transported to an aircraft. As I said, we will facilitate all the steps but the priority will be people and not pets.

Mr Wallace went on to say that there had been no turnaround on the issue, calling on critics to allow officials and the military to face one of the most dangerous and difficult evacuations in a generation. .

He added: Bullying, lies and threatening behavior by some towards our staff and MOD advisers is unacceptable and a disgraceful way of treating people trying to help with the evacuation.

They are not doing good for their cause.

Since the collapse of the Afghan government, Mr. Farthing and his supporters have campaigned for his staff and their families as well as 140 dogs and 60 cats to be evacuated from the country as part of a plan he dubbed Operation Ark.

The Prime Minister denied having had any influence (Dominic Lipinski / PA)

Reports suggest the Prime Minister’s wife Carrie has stepped in to lobby for his rescue.

Asked about the reports on Thursday, Mr Johnson said: I had absolutely no influence whatsoever on a particular case, and that wouldn’t be fair.

This is not, this is not the way we do things in this country.

On Thursday morning, Mr. Farthing launched an appeal on Twitter to ensure his safe passage through Kabul airport.

Speaking to Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen, Mr. Farthing said: Dear Sir; my team and my animals are stranded in the airport circle. We have a flight pending. Can you please facilitate the safe passage through the airport for our convoy?

We are an NGO that will come back to Afghanistan but for now I want to get everyone out safe and sound.

He added: We have been here 10 hours after being assured we would have safe passage. I would really like to come home now. Let’s prove that the IEA takes a different path.

Dear Sir; my team and my animals are stranded in the airport circle. We have a flight pending. Can you please facilitate the safe passage through the airport for our convoy? @ suhailshaheen1 We are an NGO coming back to Afghanistan but for now I want to get everyone out to safety. ??

Pen Farthing (@PenFarthing) August 26, 2021

His friend and supporter Dominic Dyer, of Milton Keynes, said a privately funded plane was due to land from Luton Airport on Friday, but the plans had to be scrapped due to safety fears.

Mr Dyer said another plane was now waiting in a neighboring country but could not land in Kabul until Mr Farthing was cleared to enter the airport.

He told the PA News Agency: We have a plan in place and we can act quickly, but not until he clears entry to the airport.

It’s a complicated situation and the door is closing, the next 24-48 hours is crucial we need it before that to prevent him, his staff and the animals from getting stuck in the country.

There are options for him to return to his center and squat down or he could try to leave the country on the road, but there are fears that the Taliban will close the borders, so it’s unclear what’s going to happen. happen.

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