‘They tear at our souls’: Canada ends Kabul evacuation effort as many left behind – National | Globalnews.ca

Canada’s evacuation efforts in Afghanistan have ended, officials confirmed Thursday, indicating that some Canadians remain in the Taliban-ruled country.

At an official update at 8 a.m. ET, Gen. Wayne Eyre said Canadian personnel left Kabul “eight hours ago.” Roughly 3,700 people we’re evacuated by Canada during its operation, though that number will be confirmed in the later days, Eyre said.

Eyre added he’s received “pleas” from Afghans desperate to escape the violence of the Taliban.

“They tear at our souls,” he said.

“They have witnessed horrific things,” Eyre continued, in expressing concerns for military members who have seen “desperation that broke our hearts.”

“The feeling of helplessness and guilt from having to leave people behind can be overwhelming.”

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Canada’s departure comes five days before American soldiers leave on Aug. 31, after spending two-decades in the region as part of the War on Terror.

Eyre called the end of efforts “heartbreaking” and said he wished Canada could have stayed longer.

An official from Global Affairs Canada indicated some Canadians were left behind and encouraged them to reach out. They did not provide firm numbers on how many remain in the country.

At the same time, officials said it is now up to individuals to try to keep themselves and their families safe.

“Canada will begin to focus on the next phase of our operation,” said Daniel Mills of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

“In the coming weeks and months we will work with our international partners, including the United Nations, on our humanitarian work.”

He expressed “deepest regrets” to those left behind.

The security situation around the international airport in Kabul has worsened in the past couple days. On Thursday, the United States and its allies urged people to move away from the airport due to the threat of a terror attack by Islamic State militants.

Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby tweeted Thursday an explosion happened outside the airport.

“We can confirm an explosion outside Kabul airport. Casualties are unclear at this time,” he wrote. “We will provide additional details when we can.”

President Joe Biden has refused to extend the Aug. 31 deadline, forcing Canada and other allies to pull out before they do.

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When asked if he’s angry at the American’s decision, Eyre said every country makes their own decisions.

“We have to remember that the Taliban have the responsibility for this crisis … put the blame on them,” he said.

“There is no country in the world other than the U.S. with the capability to project force on the other side of the world … Canada does not have the capability to do this unilaterally, neither does any other country besides the U.S.”

On Wednesday, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau said the government will continue to support Afghans who want to leave.

“But once this evacuation phase is done, we’re not stopping our work,” he told reporters in Surrey, B.C.

“We’re going to continue with the international community to put pressure on the Taliban to ensure that people can leave the country. We will continue to work with neighbours and partners in the region to get more and more people to safety.”

More to come.