Canada said on Friday that as insurgents occupy major cities across the country, it will accept up to 20,000 Afghan refugees, including female leaders, government workers and others threatened by the Taliban.
“The situation in Afghanistan is heartbreaking and Canada will not stand idly by,” Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino said at a news conference.
Refugees will include “particularly vulnerable” Afghans who are still in the country or have fled to neighboring countries. In addition to female leaders and government employees, they will also include human rights defenders, persecuted minorities and journalists.
Mendicino said asylum seekers on several planes have already left, and the first plane landed in Toronto on Friday.
Opinion | Taliban swept Afghanistan-American politicians let down the country by John Matisonn
As the Taliban advance to the capital Kabul, officials said that the Canadian special forces were part of the emergency plan for airlifting Canadian Embassy staff, but did not provide details due to the sensitivity of security operations.
Earlier on Friday, many countries including Spain, Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands announced the withdrawal of staff from their embassies.
Canada said it is monitoring the situation in Afghanistan “very closely” and cooperating with its local allies.
“Protecting the Canadian Embassy and our staff is our top priority,” said Foreign Minister Mark Garno.
He said on Twitter that Canada “owes a gratitude to the Afghans, and we will continue to work hard to keep them safe.”
Do you know you can listen to the article? Subscribe to news 24 Access this exciting feature and more.
