German military evacuates Kabul after airport explosions

German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer announced Thursday the German military has evacuated Kabul after two explosions rocked the airport there earlier in the day.

In a Twitter statement, the defense minister stated no German soldiers were injured in the blasts and an emergency departure had occurred.

Insbesondere danke ich unseren amerikanischen Freunden, ohne deren Schutz diese Operation nicht möglich gewesen wäre. Und ich danke der Regierung von Usbekistan, die in einer Situation großer Anspannung ein verlässlicher Partner war. Wir werden das nicht vergessen! 13/15

— A. Kramp-Karrenbauer (@akk) August 26, 2021

She expressed her gratitude for the soldiers who carried out the “dangerous mission” and are glad they left due to the “worsening security situation at the airport.”

“An extension of the operation in Kabul was not possible. The worsening security situation on site and the unequivocal decision of the Taliban made this impossible,” Kramp-Karrenbauer said.

Germany has flown more than 5,300 people out of the country since Aug. 16. 

The defense minister said the country will “ensure that the commitments negotiated with the Taliban actually apply” so more people can leave the country after the military leaves.

“I would particularly like to thank our American friends, without whose protection this operation would not have been possible,” she stated.

Multiple U.S. service members were killed in the explosions in Kabul, with at least one of the explosions from a suicide bomber.