Afghan pilots who sought safety in Uzbekistan begin US transfer under new agreement

The Uzbek authorities has been underneath intense strain by the Taliban in Afghanistan at hand over the pilots, who flew themselves and relations to security in Uzbekistan aboard Afghan Air Power helicopters and airplanes.

The U.S. effort to coach and construct an Afghan Air Power was among the many most celebrated applications in assist of the nation’s army. The U.S. spent billions of {dollars} on the air power, together with on coaching, upkeep and the availability of dozens of helicopters and planes.

Among the many Taliban, the pilots have been among the many most hated members of the Afghan forces for his or her function in finishing up airstrikes in opposition to Taliban forces. Whereas the Taliban have promised amnesty to authorities officers and forces, the pilots worry for his or her and their households’ security.

Nonetheless in query is the destiny of the 46 plane that landed at Termez airfield in Uzbekistan close to the border with Afghanistan. These embody U.S.-supplied Black Hawks and PC-12 surveillance plane, together with Soviet-era MI-17s.

The Taliban are calling for the plane to be returned to Afghanistan, a transfer more likely to be strongly opposed by the U.S. Uzbekistan has rigorously hedged relations between international powers within the area and has privately urged the State Division to resolve the difficulty as quickly as doable.

The Taliban criticized the switch of pilots out of Uzbekistan.

“These pilots ought to return to their nation, the nation wants them,” stated spokesman Suhail Shaheen. “We’re simply beginning to rebuild our nation. The world ought to assist us, as a substitute of hurling hurdles in the way in which of reconstruction of Afghanistan and financial prosperity of our individuals.”

The State Division declined to remark. Uzbek officers in Washington declined to remark.

Preliminary plans targeted on flying the pilots to Doha, Qatar, however finally the primary airplane carrying the Afghan passengers flew to the United Arab Emirates this weekend, individuals acquainted with the matter stated. It wasn’t instantly clear whether or not the group would finally be transferred to the U.S. or elsewhere.

The switch from Afghanistan prompted reduction on Capitol Hill, the place the pilots had drawn assist from lawmakers who had served within the army. However the response additionally pointed to continued frustration with the Biden administration’s dealing with of the Afghan exit inside Congress, which returns from a recess this month and is anticipated to carry hearings on the chaotic withdrawal.

The Uzbek authorities maintained relations with the Taliban for years previous to the Taliban’s seizure of Kabul final month, capping a sweeping offensive that captured most cities throughout Afghanistan with barely a shot fired.

The presence of the pilots, crews and their households in Uzbekistan, totaling some 585 individuals, has been an issue for the Uzbek authorities since their arrival.

The Home International Affairs Committee was set to carry a listening to on the Afghanistan withdrawal Monday, at which Secretary of State Antony Blinken is anticipated to face questions in regards to the standing of the pilots in addition to those that are nonetheless in Afghanistan or third international locations.

“I’m going to be asking and different members shall be asking some exhausting questions on who we’re getting out, how we’re getting them out, and the way does that evaluate with the vetting of people that beforehand obtained out that will not qualify,” stated Rep. August Pfluger (R., Texas), who had privately pressed the Biden administration to switch the pilots from Uzbekistan partially as a result of a constituent is married to one of many pilots.