For the first time since the Islamists seized power, Afghan police at Kabul airport have returned to work, manning checkpoints alongside Taliban security, officers said Sunday. When the Taliban overthrew the government in Kabul last month, police officers fled, frightened of what the Islamists could do. After receiving calls from Taliban commanders, two officers stated they returned to work on Saturday. An AFP correspondent at the airport on Sunday spotted border police officers stationed at multiple checkpoints outside the airport’s main buildings, including the domestic terminal.
“I returned to work yesterday after being ordered home for more than two weeks,” a police officer told AFP on condition of anonymity. Another officer added, “I received a call from a top Taliban commander asking me to return.” The Taliban claim to have offered a general amnesty to everyone who served for the prior administration, including the army, police, and other security departments, saying, “Yesterday was amazing, so pleased to serve again.” Officials claim they want to merge the opposing troops, but they haven’t said how they’ll do it or how they’ll keep a security force of 600,000 people going. The chaotic evacuation of over 120,000 people that culminated with the withdrawal of US forces on August 30 seriously damaged Kabul airport.