Merkel seeks parliament’s nod to send troops to secure Afghan evacuations

BERLIN

Chancellor Angela Merkel’s coalition government decided to seek parliament’s approval on Wednesday to send troops to Afghanistan to evacuate the remaining Afghan local staff and their families.

Government spokesman Steffen Seibert told a news conference in Berlin that the parliamentary mandate would allow the deployment of up to 600 soldiers and will be valid until Sept. 30.

The government’s request is expected to be discussed at the parliament next week and it is almost certain to be passed by the Bundestag, where Merkel’s coalition has a majority.

Germany is currently holding talks with the Taliban in Qatar’s capital of Doha to ensure the remaining Germans, Afghan local staff and their families will be allowed to get to the Kabul airport.

Hundreds of Afghan staff who worked for the German military, ministries and development agencies are reportedly barred by the Taliban from accessing the Kabul airport in order to leave the country.