Republican Rep. Michael McCaul stated that six American-flagged planes were held hostage at an Afghanistan airport. Fox News Sunday
A GOP lawmaker stated Sunday that six planes carrying Americans aboard were being held hostage by Taliban in Afghanistan.
Rep. Michael McCaul stated that the planes were held at Mazar-i-Sharif, northern Afghanistan for several days.
Fox News reported that he said, "We know why it is because the Taliban want to exchange something."
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Representative Michael McCaul stated that six airplanes are currently stuck at the Mazar i-Sharif International airport in northern Afghanistan. There are also Americans aboard. They were unable to take flight because they have not been cleared by the Taliban.
McCaul, a Texas Republican, made the remarks during an appearance on Fox News Sunday. He said that Afghan interpreters were also aboard the planes.
McCaul, the House Foreign Affairs Committee's top Republican, stated that six planes are at Mazar-i Sharif airport. Six airplanes with American citizens and interpreters. The Taliban is holding them hostage to demands right now." Fox News' Chris Wallace reported McCaul.
He said, "The Taliban won't let them leave the airport because the State has cleared these flights."
Insider asked for clarification from McCaul's claims on Sunday by representatives of the White House, and the US State Department.
McCaul stated that they aren't allowing the planes to leave. McCaul stated, "They have sat at this airport for the past couple of days - these airplanes - and they are not allowed to depart."
He said, "We know that the Taliban want something for exchange." "This is Chris, becoming a hostage situation in which they won't allow American citizens to flee until they receive full recognition from America."
Continue the story
According to Anthony Blinken, US Secretary of State, the US military ended its two-decade mission for Afghanistan on Tuesday. However, there are still 100 to 200 Americans in Afghanistan.
Last week, Blinken stated that "our commitment to them and all Americans in Afghanistan – and anywhere in the world – continues."
He said that the State Department's most important and enduring mission is to protect and promote American welfare abroad. We will assist Afghans who tell us they are willing to stay, but then they change their mind after a few weeks, months, or years.
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