(ANSA) - ROME, AUGUST 29 - The last RAF flight left Kabul airport last night, closing the United Kingdom mission in Afghanistan after 20 years. Defense Minister Ben Wallace tweeted it.
Some 15,000 people have been evacuated from the country, including 5,000 British citizens and over 8,000 Afghans who have worked for the UK. Among them also 2,200 children, the youngest of which is a one-day-old girl, reports Sky news. But there is no lack of controversy over the fact, admitted yesterday by the head of the armed forces, that someone was left behind. According to the Sunday Times, up to 9,000 people who were eligible to leave the country were not evacuated.
British Ambassador to Afghanistan Laurie Bristow left on the last flight and was dropped off in Qatar from where she will lead the UK's diplomatic, security and humanitarian efforts. The London government has already announced that it intends to establish a diplomatic presence in Kabul "as soon as the political and security situation in the country allows it".
Meanwhile, the first details of the Downing Street plan for the integration of Afghan refugees arriving in Great Britain are beginning to emerge. Called 'Operation Warm Welcome' the program promises to provide "support, health, education, work and housing". (HANDLE).