First Group of Afghan Evacuees Arrives in Albania

TIRANA, ALBANIA - ​A first group of 121 evacuees from Afghanistan arrived early Friday in Albania, after the country agreed to temporarily house at-risk Afghan nationals at the request of the United States. Since mid-July, 🇽🇰 expressed its readiness to do its part to host 🇦🇫citizens, upon request by @Potus. We know all too well the impact of being on the run, persecuted and living under the reign of terror. 🇽🇰 will offer safe haven and protection in close coord. w/ 🇺🇸. Full stat. ⬇️

More are expected to go to the Western Balkan country, but the timing is uncertain because of the chaos and evolving situation at the Kabul airport, as the United States and other countries race to get Americans and others out of the country ahead of an Tuesday deadline for complete withdrawal, amid the threat of more terror attacks. Officials in Albania said the first group of 121 was made up of civil society activists and others, including children and 11 babies. The flight made one stop in Tbilisi, Georgia, then departed for Albania, arriving at the country’s main airport in Tirana at 3 a.m. local time. They were being sheltered temporarily in three hotels near the coastal town of Durrës, about 38 kilometers (23.5 miles) from Tirana.