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British nationals and former British staff in Afghanistan will be given refuge in the UK following the Taliban’s resurgence.
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The UK Ministry of Defence has launched Operation Pitting — the provision of military support for the evacuation of British nationals and former British staff eligible for relocation under the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP).
Commanded from the UK’s Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood, the operation will be led by approximately 600 personnel of the Armed Forces who have deployed alongside the 16 Air Assault Brigade.
“Protecting British nationals and ensuring their safety as they leave Afghanistan is our top priority, which is why we are commencing Operation Pitting, for which our military are very well prepared,” Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said.
Specifically, UK troops have been tasked with providing force protection and logistical support, with the Home Office deploying a small team of officials to assist the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in Kabul.
Home Affairs officials will be responsible for streamlining the processing of new visas and other documents needed for British nationals, former UK staff and other eligible people to leave Afghanistan and travel to the UK.
An estimated 2,000 eligible local staff and their families have been relocated to the UK since April, with 3,000 locally employed civilians and their families relocated since 2014.
“We have a moral obligation to support the fearless Afghan staff and their family members, who served alongside our brave troops in Afghanistan,” Home Secretary Priti Patel added.
“No one should have their lives put at risk for working with the UK government, which is why we have significantly expanded and accelerated our dedicated resettlement scheme, deployed Home Office officials to help process British nationals for evacuation, and waived visas for their dependants.”
The government has urged British nationals to leave Afghanistan immediately, in light of the deteriorating security situation.
The Taliban has swiftly regained control of former government strongholds and recently seized the presidential palace, prompting the exile of President Ashraf Ghani.
The Taliban’s resurgence followed the withdrawal of Western forces from the country after a 20-year struggle, triggered by the 9/11 attacks in 2001.
[Related: Australia won’t join US evacuation efforts in Afghanistan, sends all the wrong signals]
