“It cannot but help the timely and more speedy evacuation of our citizens on the ground.”
Nine members of the Irish special forces wing are on the way to Afghanistan along with two Department of Foreign Affairs officials as special forces will assist with evacuations at Kabul Airport.
10 Irish citizens have already been evacuated, with 36 further citizens and family members looking to leave the region.
Retired Brigadier General Ger Aherne told Newstalk on Tuesday that the Army Rangers on the way to Afghanistan will help to secure the “speedy evacuation” of the remaining Irish citizens.
“There is a brotherhood between military personnel all over the world and that brotherhood will come into its own at Kabul airport with our army ranger wing personnel,” he said.
“In particular, dealing with the US and UK forces, there is a particularly strong bond between special forces operators internationally, of which the army ranger wing is a noted and respected member of.
“It cannot but help the timely and more speedy evacuation of our citizens on the ground. You can’t beat local-level liaison.”
In a statement on Monday, the Department of Foreign Affairs said that the situation in Kabul “remains volatile” and “access to the airport continues to be a problem”.
“Work continues on options for evacuation, the Department is in ongoing contact with EU and other partners on the ground in Kabul,” it continued.
“There are also a small number of Irish citizens who are working for UN and international organisations and currently plan to stay in Afghanistan.”
Meanwhile, Programme Refugee status has now been granted to just over 200 Afghans in Ireland with the first 10 of this group having arrived in the country last night.
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